Minister of Foreign Affairs Huitfeldt invited members of the RMB to a meeting for the first time in nine years. Foreign ministers and representatives of the Nordic and Baltic countries as well as Germany, Poland and the EU met in Kristiansand to discuss the situation in Ukraine. The consequences of the war in Ukraine were discussed. Also about cooperation with Ukraine as an observer country in the Baltic Sea Council, Russia's withdrawal from the Council and future regional cooperation. The program also included the need to accelerate the process of green transformation, youth cooperation, and the safety and protection of the region's inhabitants. The meeting was held in the same year as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Baltic Sea Council.

The meeting resulted in a joint statement by 11 members

During the meeting, members of the Baltic Sea Council agreed on a joint declaration, known as the Kristiansand Declaration, which expresses, inter alia, continued support for Ukraine and recognition of the country's defense of independence and freedom and the common values ​​that Europe stands for.

– Discussions in Kristiansand resulted in a joint statement by 11 members. The Baltic Council served the region as a forum for both political dialogue and practical cooperation. The situation has changed, but the values ​​and goals of cooperation remain. We confirmed that the relations of the Baltic Sea Council with Russia and Belarus will remain severed until cooperation on the basic principles of international law becomes possible again, says the minister. foreign affairs Huitfeldt.