E-PINE: Reinvigorating Regional Cooperation for Europe's Northeast
The Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (E-PINE) is set to address critical challenges in the region and beyond. This initiative, connecting the Baltic and Nordic nations, has a history of fostering cooperation and is well-positioned to support Ukraine's integration and Europe's energy transition.
E-PINE, established in 2003, brings together officials from the U.S. State Department and the political directors of the Baltic and Nordic countries' Ministries of Foreign Affairs. It aims to strengthen regional cooperation and transatlantic ties. Originally known as the Northern Europe Initiative (NEI), founded in 1997, it focused on integrating the Baltic states into Euro-Atlantic circles.
The initiative has evolved to include the Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe, which deepens defense cooperation among Finland, Sweden, and Norway. This aims to bolster collective defenses and share the burden of global security along Europe's northern flank. Now, with Sweden and Finland joining NATO, all E-PINE members have access to Washington in Brussels.
Expanding E-PINE to include Poland and Germany could create opportunities for transatlantic defense industrial or energy cooperation. This could also enhance their credibility as security providers. The Baltic and Nordic nations, demonstrating leadership in European foreign, security, and defense policy, coordinate their positions before meeting U.S. counterparts.
Rather than being scrapped, E-PINE should be reinvigorated. By bringing Poland and Germany on board, this initiative can further strengthen regional and transatlantic cooperation, addressing crucial challenges in Europe's northeast.
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