Regional Identities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: Being Baltic, Looking North

ABSTRACT

The article analyzes ideas about regions in the political language of the presidents of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 2014–2018. The analysis argues that a dominant trilateral Baltic regional identity is embedded in geopolitical security concerns and Soviet legacies. The Northern European identity emerges as the second most important regional togetherness in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania alike, by combining security concerns, a similarity of values, and an orientation toward a positive role model among the Nordic states. Eastern Europe is viewed as a region the Baltic states do not belong to and Central European images are nearly non-existent.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks go to Prof. Bernd Henningsen, Prof. Thomas Lundén, Prof. Iver B. Neumann, Assoc. Prof. Kjetil Duvold and two anonymous reviewers for their comments on the article.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Statements by the presidents can be found at: https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=603&lng=en, https://www.president.lv/en/news/news, https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidentes-veikla/kalbos/6588/2018-04.

2. Article 77 of the Lithuanian Constitution names President as Head of State and article 84(1) states that the President “shall decide the basic issues of foreign policy and, together with the Government, conduct foreign policy” (Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.html. Accessed on September 20, 2019); Latvian President according to article 41 of the Constitution “shall represent the State in international relations” and article 42 states “The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Latvia” (Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, http://www.saeima.lv/en/legislation/constitution. Accessed on September 20, 2019); Article 77 of the Estonian Constitution’s calls the President the head of state and article 78 (1) states “The President represents the Republic of Estonia in its international relations” (Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, https://president.ee/en/republic-of-estonia/the-constitution/index.html. Accessed on September 20, 2019).

3. Bilateral relations do not constitute a region.

4. Baltic Defense College 15th anniversary (28.03.2014), https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/9872-baltic-defense-college-15th-anniversary. Accessed on June 10, 2018.

5. 25 Years After—Still not Whole and Free (02.09.2014) https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/10518-25-years-after-still-not-whole-and-free/layout-visit.html. Accessed on June 10, 2018.

6. Keynote speech by the President of Estonia at MSC side event “NATO’s Challenges on the Eastern Flank: Enhancing Forward Presence and Maintaining Cohesion“ 15.02.2018, https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/14125-keynote-speech-by-the-president-of-estonia-at-msc-side-event-natos-challenges-on-the-eastern-flank-enhancing-forward-presence-and-maintaining-cohesion/index.html. Accessed on June 2, 2018.

7. Statement of the President of Latvia, Andris Bērziņš at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly 25.09.2014, http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/newyork/latvia-in-the-un/statements-at-the-general-assembly-general-debate/47727-statement-of-president-of-latvia-andris-berzins-at-the-69th-session-of-the-united-nations-general. Accessed on June 13, 2018.

8. Address by the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis at the opening of the Riga Conference, Friday, 29. September, 2017, https://www.president.lv/en/news/news/address-by-the-president-of-latvia-raimonds-vejonis-at-the-opening-of-the-riga-conference-25234. Accessed on December 14, 2018.

9. Press statement of President Bērziņš after the meeting of the Presidents of the Baltic states with the President of the United States of America in Tallinn 03.09.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=22453. Accessed on June 12, 2018.

10. Address by the President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis at the opening of the Riga Conference, Friday 29th September, 2017, https://www.president.lv/en/news/news/address-by-the-president-of-latvia-raimonds-vejonis-at-the-opening-of-the-riga-conference-25234. Accessed on December 14, 2018.

11. Address by the President of Latvia at the celebration concert on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Baltic Way at the Monument of Freedom, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=22415. Accessed on June 14, 2018.

12. Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentės Dalios Grybauskaitės kalba Jungtinių Tautų Generalinės Asamblėjos bendruosiuose debatuose, 2017-09-19, https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidentes-veikla/kalbos/lietuvos-respublikos-prezidentes-dalios-grybauskaites-kalba-jungtiniu-tautu-generalines-asamblejos-bendruosiuose-debatuose/28436. Accessed on October 12, 2018.

13. State of the Nation Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, 27 March, 2014, https://www.lrp.lt/en/speeches/state-of-the-nation-address/-2014/20827. Accessed on April 3, 2018.

14. Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentės Dalios Grybauskaitės kalba Baltijos kelio 25-mečio minėjimo koncerte Katedros aikštėje (23.08.2014), https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidentes-veikla/kalbos/lietuvos-respublikos-prezidentes-dalios-grybauskaites-kalba-baltijos-kelio-25-mecio-minejimo-koncerte-katedros-aiksteje/20201. Accessed on June 20, 2019.

15. Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentės Dalios Grybauskaitės tostas valstybinio vizito Estijoje metu. 2017-06-05, https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidentes-veikla/kalbos/lietuvos-respublikos-prezidentes-dalios-grybauskaites-tostas-valstybinio-vizito-estijoje-metu/27718. Accessed on July 1, 2019.

16. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves’s opening speech at Creativity for Change Forum, April 1, 2016, https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/12236-president-ilves-at-the-tenth-lennart-meri-conference-tallinn-13-may-2016/index.html. Accessed on April 3, 2019.

17. Security in Northern Europe after the collapse of the Helsinki Final Act Toomas Hendrik Ilves at the Opera House in Helsinki on May 13, 2014 (13.05.2014), https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/10185-security-in-northern-europe-after-the-collapse-of-the-helsinki-final-act-toomas-hendrik-ilves-at-the-opera-house-in-helsinki-on-may-13-2014-/layout-visit.html. Accessed on April 3, 2019.

18. The President of the Republic at the Republic of Estonia Independence Day Celebration at the Estonian National Museum, 24.02.2018, https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/14154-the-president-of-the-republic-at-the-estonian-national-museum/index.html. Accessed on March 14, 2018.

19. President Ilves in Warsaw at a moderated discussion of a conference hosted by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) in co-operation with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita December 21, 2015, https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/media/interviews/11885-president-ilves-in-varsaw-at-a-moderated-discussion-of-a-conference-hosted-by-the-center-for-european-policy-analysis-cepa-in-co-operation-with-the-polish-newspaper-rzeczpospolita/layout-visit.html. Accessed on March 30, 2019.

20. President of the Republic at the Business Europe Council Meeting in Tallinn 01.12.2017, https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/13866-president-of-the-republic-at-the-business-europe-council-meeting-in-tallinn/index.html. Accessed on December 15, 2018.

21. President of the Republic at the Futureforum Espoo, 19.10.2017, https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/13666-president-of-the-republic-at-the-futureforum-espoo/index.html. Accessed on December 15, 2017.

22. Address by the President of Latvia at the state dinner in honor of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia 26.03.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=21982. Accessed on February 17, 2019.

23. Speech of the President of Latvia Andris Bērziņš at the Eastern Partnership Business Forum 21.05.2015, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=605&art_id=23061. Accessed on February 14, 2019.

24. Toast of H.E. President of the Republic Latvia Mr Andris Bērziņš at the State Dinner during the State Visit to the Kingdom of Norway 18.03.2015, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=605&art_id=22931. Accessed on February 15, 2019.

25. Speech of the President of Latvia at the meeting of the Heads of state and the Heads of government of Nordic and Baltic countries with the Head of Delegation of Japan 17.10.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=22602. Accessed on February 17, 2019.

26. Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentės Dalios Grybauskaitės tostas per iškilmingą vakarienę Islandijos Respublikos Prezidento Ólafuro Ragnaro Grímssono ir Ponios Dorrit Moussaieff garbei (10.03.2015), https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidentes-veikla/kalbos/islandijos-prezidento-lafuro-ragnaro-grmssono-tostas-pasakytas-lietuvos-respublikos-prezidentes-dalios-grybauskaites-surengtos-iskilmingos-vakarienes-metu/22279. Accessed on April 2, 2019.

27. State of the Nation Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, 27 March 2014, https://www.lrp.lt/en/speeches/state-of-the-nation-address/-2014/20827. Accessed on April 3, 2019.

28. Toast remarks by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the state dinner in honor of Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, https://www.lrp.lt/en/activities/speeches/23875. Accessed on April 3, 2019.

29. Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentės Dalios Grybauskaitės sveikinimas Investuotojų Forumo apdovanojimų dalyviams, 2014-03-14, https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidentes-veikla/kalbos/lietuvos-respublikos-prezidentes-dalios-grybauskaites-sveikinimas-investuotoju-forumo-apdovanojimu-dalyviams/18897. Accessed on April 4, 2019.

30. State of the Nation Address by H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania, 2018-06-12, https://www.lrp.lt/en/press-center/press-releases/state-of-the-nation-address-by-h.e.-dalia-grybauskaite-president-of-the-republic-of-lithuania/30199. Accessed on June 12, 2019.

31. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves’s opening speech at Creativity For Change Forum, April 1, 2016, https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/12144-president-toomas-hendrik-ilvess-opening-speech-at-tallinn-music-week-april-1st-2016/index.html. Accessed on April 1, 2019.

32. Security in Northern Europe after the collapse of the Helsinki Final Act Toomas Hendrik Ilves at the Opera House in Helsinki on May 13, 2014 (13.05.2014), https://www.diplomaatia.ee/en/article/security-in-northern-europe-after-the-collapse-of-the-helsinki-final-act/. Accessed on March 25, 2019.

33. The Walls We Build Ourselves, President Ilves at the Awards Ceremony of Aspen Institute Prague, 21 October 2015, https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/11666-the-walls-we-build-ourselves/layout-visit.html. Accessed on March 26, 2019.

34. President of the Republic at the 4th Eastern Partnership Business Forum, 26.10.2017, https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/13679-president-of-the-republic-at-the-4th-eastern-partnership-business-forum/index.html. Accessed on November 26, 2019.

35. Address by the President of Latvia at the celebration concert on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Baltic Way at the Monument of Freedom, 23.08.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=22415. Accessed on February 20, 2019.

36. An address in the reception for ambassadors of the European Union member states on the occasion of the tenth anniversary since Latvia joined the European Union, 30.04.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=22084. Accessed on March 25, 2019.

37. Speech by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the debate of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, 2014-09-26, https://www.lrp.lt/en/activities/speeches/speech-by-president-dalia-grybauskaite-at-the-debate-of-the-69th-session-of-the-united-nations-general-assembly/20510. Accessed on March 22, 2019.

38. Welcoming Speech at Regional Conference and Consultations on Implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the OSCE region, 20 April 2015, https://www.lrp.lt/cwwl/chair-of-the-council/resources/welcoming-speech-at-regional-conference-and-consultations-on-implementation-of-unscr-1325-in-the-osce-region/21503. Accessed on March 22, 2018.

39. Remarks by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, 2015-09-27, https://www.lrp.lt/en/activities/speeches/remarks-by-president-dalia-grybauskaite-at-the-united-nations-summit-for-the-adoption-of-the-post-2015-development-agenda/6590/23784. Accessed on March 22, 2019.

40. EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, https://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu. Accessed on May 21, 2019.

41. President Ilves addressing the Baltic American Freedom Foundation, Riga, June 20, 2016, https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/12400-president-ilves-addressing-the-baltic-american-freedom-foundation-riga-20-june-2016/index.html. Accessed on February 25, 2019.

42. President of the Republic at Victory Day 23 June 2016 in Võru, https://vp2006-2016.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/12358-2016-06-23-09-33-11. Accessed on February 25, 2019.

43. President of the Republic at the Annual Baltic Conference on Defense 2017 – European Defense Cooperation: Out of the Shadows? 06.09.2017, https://www.president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/13535-president-of-the-republic-at-the-annual-baltic-conference-on-defense-2017-european-defense-cooperation-out-of-the-shadows/index.html. Accessed on September 21, 2019.

44. President Kersti Kaljulaid on the 97th Anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty on 2 February 2017, 02.02.2017, https://president.ee/en/official-duties/speeches/12899-president-kersti-kaljulaid-on-the-97th-anniversary-of-the-tartu-peace-treaty-on-2-february-2017/index.html. Accessed on February 25, 2019.

45. Address by the President of Latvia at the state dinner in honor of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia, 26.03.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=21982, Accessed on January 14, 2018.

46. Speech of the President of Latvia Andris Bērziņš at the first plenary session of the 12th Saeima, 04.11.2014, http://president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=22638. Accessed on January 14, 2019.

47. Address by the President of Latvia at the state dinner in honor of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia, 26.03.2014, http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?art_id=21982. Accessed on January 14, 2019.

48. Toast remarks by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the state dinner in honor of Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden https://www.lrp.lt/en/activities/speeches/23875. Accessed on April 3, 2019.

49. Speech by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the official launching of interconnections NordBalt and LitPol Link, 2015-12-14, https://www.lrp.lt/en/activities/speeches/speech-by-president-dalia-grybauskaite-at-the-official-launching-of-interconnections-nordbalt-and-litpol-link/24387. Accessed on April 3, 2019.