The ‘Baltic’ Factor in EU–Russian Relations: In Search of Coherence and Co-operation in an Era of Complexity

Abstract

With their post-Soviet history and conflictual relationship with the Russian Federation, the Baltic States sought entry into the European Union (EU) for more political clout, economic stability and geopolitical reinforcement. However, what Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania discovered was a great deal more complex and less coherent political community than they had hoped. This paper looks at how the Baltic States have affected and been affected by EU–Russian relations. We seek the elusive ‘Baltic factor’ in EU–Russian relations. In looking at how Baltic foreign policy has changed from pre-enlargement to post-accession, we find that the Baltic States, still haunted by their relationship with Russia, are more likely to be perceived as agenda-spoilers than agenda-setters.

Keywords:

• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• foreign policy
• EU
• Russia

Notes

¹ Declaration by H. E. Dr Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic of Latvia regarding 9 May 2005, Riga, personal website of Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Available online at: http://www.vvf.lv/vvf/index.php?Itemid = 62 (accessed 26 March 2011).

² Verheugen remarks cast shadows over EU-Russia summit, Euractiv.com , 9 May 2005. Available online at: http://www.euractiv.com/en/security/verheugen-remarks-cast-shadows-eu-russia-summit/article-139151 (accessed 26 March 2011).

³ Poland to buy Russian nuclear energy?, Warsaw Business Journal, 14 February 2011. Available online at: http://www.wbj.pl/article-53183-poland-to-buy-russian-nuclear-energy.html (accessed 26 March 2011).

⁴ Anonymous interview with a high-ranking Lithuanian official.

⁵ Estonia's state power firm in US oil shale deal, AFP, 10 March 2011.

⁶ Anonymous interview with a high-ranking Lithuanian official.

⁷ Gazprom offers to cut prices 15% for Estonia, Latvia if deliveries raised, RIA Novosti, 24 December 2010.

⁸ Lithuania afraid of Gazprom's influence if a Baltic LNG terminal built in Latvia, Lithuania Tribune, 7 February 2011. Available online at: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/2011/02/07/lithuania-afraid-of-gazprom%E2%80%99s-influence-if-a-baltic-lng-terminal-to-be-built-in-latvia/ (accessed 26 March 2011).

⁹ For more on the Lithuanian position, see Pavilionis (2008).

¹⁰ LNT Chairman Rudolf Meroni: the Latvian State must protect its national interests, BNN, 9 December 2010. Available online at: http://bnn-news.com/2010/12/09/business/lnt-chairman-rudolf-meroni-latvian-state-protect-national-interests (accessed 26 March 2011).