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At the opening of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) in the Åland Islands on Monday, 25 August, Antoņina Ņenaševa, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, called on parliamentarians to take decisive and joint action against Russia's ‘shadow fleet’ in the Baltic Sea. “I call for action and a shift from discussions to concrete measures," said Ņenaševa, stressing that the destruction of the environment should not be viewed as an environmental problem, but as a matter of our common security.
"For many years, we have been warning our allies that Russia's aggression is not limited to tanks and missiles. It is hybrid, persistent, and reaches deep into our seas. The ‘shadow fleet’ not only undermines global sanctions, but also threatens our environment. Every voyage of these unsafe ships is not only a security risk—it is an act of ecocide," emphasized Nenaševa.
"The Baltic Sea has always been a bridge between nations. But today it challenges our ability to protect both our environment and our security, as these two notions are inseparable. We cannot be safe without a clean, safe Baltic Sea. And without safety, our sea cannot be clean. Let's not just meet to draw conclusions—let's take action," urged Ņenaševa.
The Deputy Speaker of the Saeima emphasized that the Baltic Sea is now more than just a body of water that connects us—it has become our front line of security, close partnership, and survival. The meeting place—the Åland Islands—is a unique symbol. It is a region where demilitarisation and autonomy have promoted peace and stability for more than a hundred years.
“With the Baltic Sea now being a "NATO Lake," responsibility for security in the region has increased. The war in Ukraine shows us every day that if Russia is not stopped, destruction will spread further. The ‘shadow fleet’ also pollutes our information space— every ecological disaster is followed by a wave of disinformation, denial, and propaganda. We have become leaders in exposing these threats, strengthening resilience, and showing the world what Russia is really doing on land, at sea, and in our minds," said Ņenaševa.
The Deputy Speaker of the Saeima emphasized the lack of decisive joint action. "Year by year the youths demand to be involved as equal partners. Every day we make decisions that affect them and future generations, and it is truly encouraging to see how this format challenges us and gives us the opportunity to make decisions together. We must continue to invest in resilience against disinformation, energy blackmail, and any attempt to divide us," noted Ņenaševa.
The 34th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference is taking place this week in Mariehamn, the Åland Islands, where parliamentarians are discussing the Baltic Sea as a lifeline, focusing on cooperation, security, and sustainability. The conference will hold discussions on a variety of topics, including the role of young people in cooperation between the Baltic Sea countries, shared responsibility for a sustainable Baltic Sea within the framework of the European Ocean Pact, energy security and infrastructure protection in the region, as well as geopolitical challenges to democracy and stability in the Baltic Sea region.
Information about the BSPC
The BSPC is a parliamentary forum of the Baltic Sea region. It was established in 1991 at the initiative of Finland with the aim of building a common identity within the Baltic Sea region by increasing cooperation between the countries and municipalities of the region. This organisation brings together the national and regional parliaments of the countries on the coast of the Baltic Sea, as well as the Baltic Assembly, the European Parliament, and the Nordic Council.
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Saeima Press Service