Political cooperation on all levels has a long tradition in the Baltic Sea Region. Ever since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s initiatives were taken to institutionalise this political cooperation on a regional and intergovernmental basis. As a result of this, the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) was founded in 1992, bringing together the eleven states that constitute the region, as well as the European Commission. The tasks of the CBSS are very diverse: it covers topics ranging from removing economic barriers to improving nuclear and radiation safety. Chairmanship of the Council rotates on an annual basis - from the end of 2007 on Latvia will hold it and its foreign minister will thereby have the task of coordinating and guiding the Council’s activities. Due to the CBSS’ positive influence on the political developments in the region, it has proved to be a good example of how a multi-lateral organisation can serve as driving force for cross-border cooperation.

CBSS member state Finland is a good example on another political level: as early as 1906 the country, at that time a Grand Duchy of the Russian empire, introduced universal and equal suffrage. This step made it the first state in Europe to give women the vote, at the same time disregarding factors such as class or social position. Finland can also claim to be the first country in the world to allow its female citizens to be nominated as candidates in national elections. The first general election that was held in 1907 brought quite good results for the 62 female candidates: 19 women, most of them representing the Social Democrats, were elected to the first Finnish parliament.

Another time, another country, but a similar question of voting, was Poland’s national referendum on the matter of accession to the European Union (EU) in 2003. After a large majority of all eligible Polish citizens voted in favour of the entry and the Accession Treaty was signed by Polish officials in the same year, Poland joined the EU in 2004, along with the three Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In all four countries large public celebrations were held due to the successful accession, which marked an important symbolic cornerstone for the definitive end of the political divisions caused by the Cold War. All countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, except Russia, are now member states in the EU - this fact will certainly have a positive effect on the development of further close economic, political and social cooperation, and general emancipation in the region.