Merkel hosts Baltic Sea meeting

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stands in front of a giant aquatic tank as she arrives at the Ozeaneum sea museum for photographs at the Council of the Baltic Sea States in the port city of Stralsund, Germany, yesterday. Germany was playing host government leaders and officials from the countries around the Baltic Sea to discuss energy security and ways to foster competitiveness and regional growth.

Ms Merkel welcomed her counterparts from nine countries, a deputy prime minister from Russia, and European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in the eastern port city of Stralsund.

The German Chancellor opened the summit saying the Council of the Baltic Sea States has been the origin of many positive regional initiatives in its 20 years of existence.

PICTURE: Markus Schreiber/AP.

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