Stockholm  - Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk discussed broader cooperation in the Baltic region during talks Wednesday.

Both countries border the Baltic Sea, and Reinfeldt noted that eight countries in the region are members of the European Union.

Both Sweden and Poland are due to hold the rotating presidencies of the 27-nation bloc and discussed setting up "a practical working group" on a Baltic Sea strategy, the premiers told reporters. Reinfeldt said the aim was to develop "action-oriented strategies."

Tusk, who took office in November, repeated that his government plans to introduce the euro. "We plan to be ready in 2011," Tusk said, adding it was "an ambitious plan, and realistic although difficult."

Asked if the move would increase pressure on Sweden to adopt the euro, Reinfeldt said "the Swedish people have said no" in a 2003 referendum and the government has not noted any shift in public opinion.

The premiers said they had also discussed the recent conflict in Georgia and expressed support for the EU's efforts to expand ties with countries east of its borders, including Ukraine.

Tusk was slated to visit Ukraine on Friday for talks with President Viktor Yushchenko and other political leaders. He said he would urge them to "stabilize the political situation" after the ruling coalition collapsed Tuesday.

Asked about Russian reactions to the recent agreement with the US to host 10 interceptor missiles on its soil in exchange for military aid, Tusk said Poland felt that Moscow has "accepted the fact." (dpa)