(Political Systems and Relation in the Baltic Sea Region)

Zusammen mit: Nikolaus Werz.

München: OLZOG-Verlag 2002.

Since 1989/90 the Baltic Sea region has increasingly gained significance. Despite differences in prosperity between the ‘old’ western European democracies and the Eastern European states in transition, new windows of opportunity for an increasing cooperation within the region have opened up. The Baltic Sea region holds great potential for Mecklenburg-West-Pomerania. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein also increasingly take this area into account when deciding on political and economic policies.

Despite the increasing importance of the Baltic Sea region, very little is known about the neighboring countries and their politics. In addition, there are few inter- and transnational relations with the region. Hence, this volume informs the reader about the political systems in and relations with the Baltic Sea region. At the same time, it focuses on the following aspects: trust and democracy in the Baltic Sea region, security policy, the manner in which the region is coming to terms with its past, the development of tourism, local environmental initiatives (Agenda 21), transborder organized crime, economic and technical cooperation. In conclusion, several people working in the political sphere in the Baltic Sea region outline future perspectives for the region.