From March 17 to 19, 2026, the 1st meeting of the Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation (BSRBCC) Baltic Border Committee took place in Riga, organized and chaired by the State Border Guard of Latvia. The event brought together a wide range of international partners, strengthening cooperation in border control and maritime security in the Baltic Sea region.
Representatives from Lithuania, Norway, Germany, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, and Poland participated in the meeting, along with experts from the European Union and regional organizations – FRONTEX (European Border and Coast Guard Agency), the Council of the Baltic Sea States, and the European Maritime Safety Agency.
During the meeting, participants discussed the current security situation at the external borders of the European Union, with particular focus on the Baltic Sea region. They analyzed existing and potential threats, including illegal migration, cross-border crime, and hybrid risks, and discussed the necessary measures to strengthen overall security.
As the chair of the meeting, Latvia presented its national perspective on maritime border security and the development of regional cooperation, as well as introduced the BSRBCC Presidency Action Plan for 2026. The plan particularly emphasizes improving information exchange, developing joint operational activities, and strengthening cooperation with international partners, including the involvement of third countries.
Within the framework of the meeting, member states presented their challenges and development plans in the field of maritime surveillance for 2026, highlighting the importance of technological solutions and enhanced operational cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.
The Council of the Baltic Sea States presented its planned activities for 2026, emphasizing the promotion of regional cooperation, security, and sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region. Meanwhile, the European Maritime Safety Agency provided information on maritime safety and surveillance solutions, including the development of the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) and its potential for more effective data exchange between involved institutions. Frontex also provided insights into the development of EUROSUR (European Border Surveillance System) services and their role in improving situational awareness at the EU’s external borders.
The meeting confirmed the shared commitment of participating countries and partner organizations to strengthen border security and promote closer cooperation in the Baltic Sea region.