The European Parliament adopted a resolution on a Baltic Sea Region Strategy for the Northern Dimension, based on the own-initiative report drafted by Alexander STUBB (EPP-ED, FI). The resolution was adopted by 519 votes in favour to 9 against with 14 abstentions. (Please see the summary dated 10/10/2006.) On the matter of funding, Parliament called for an own EU budget line for the Baltic Sea Strategy, possibly under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, supplementing the current funding of the Northern Dimension by the EU, Member States, third countries, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the Nordic Investment Bank and others. Parliament stressed that the Strategy must receive adequate funding from all relevant budget lines in order to be able to fulfil its objectives.
Parliament also recalled the role of the Baltic Sea as a uniting factor in the region. It suggested a new programme, to be entitled "Borderless Baltic Sea", designed to facilitate smooth border crossing in the region, including between the Member States and the Russian Federation. It supported the establishment of a "Baltic Sea motorway" linking the Baltic Sea region with Member States in central and western Europe by 2010.