On the 27 of January the first joint meeting between the National Coordinators Group (NCG) and the Policy Areas Coordinators (PACs) of the EUSBSR was held. This meeting is set to provide an opportunity to improve communication between stakeholders of the EUSBSR and to implement the revised Action Plan more effectively.

“I hope that it will become a tradition to meet in the beginning of the year to discuss the implementation of the EUSBSR. We would like this joint NCG-PAC meeting to become an annual platform for PACs and NCs to meet each other, to exchange openly, to share concerns and to try to find common solutions”, stated Mr. Robertas Bružilas, Chair of the NCG.

The Lithuanian Presidency of the NCG updated on the latest developments of the EUSBSR, including the adopted NCG Rules of Procedure and upcoming events. The Presidency together with the European Commission encouraged PACs to submit application for their events in the framework of the 3^rd Macro-regional strategies week.

The participants also discussed the opportunities and challenges related to implementation of the EUSBSR Action Plan. The appointment of coordinators of some PAs, the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation, the support of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme were among the topics discussed.

The NCG also confirmed the official list of PACs as of 1 January 2022.

The Action Plan of the EUSBSR provides for the joint meeting between NCs and PACs at least once a year.