Bastion, Beacon or Bridge? Conceptualising the Baltic Logic of the EU's Neighbourhood

Landscapes of Paradox: Public Discourses and Policies in Poland's Relationship With the Nord Stream Pipeline

“…To a certain extent, this situation can be attributed to the complex power dynamics between Baltic states and Russia. 18 The central importance of energy diplomacy in this context is evidenced by the results of a recent analysis undertaken by the European Council of Foreign Affairs, a Brussels-based think tank which finds that energy dependence is the central component of the various Baltic states' political and economic partnerships with Russia. The study describes Poland and Lithuania as 'new cold warriors' that have developed an openly hostile relationship with Moscow as a result of, inter alia, the lack of co-operation in the energy sector.…”

Development Cooperation of the ‘New’ EU Member States

“…While many scholars pointed out that even after the accession, Latvia's relations with Russia and security policy remained highly prioritized areas (Galbreath, 2006;Galbreath et al, 2008, p. 63;Neretnieks, 2006, p. 359;Tromer, 2006, p. 373), a 'post-existential direction' was discerned in foreign policy after EU accession (Galbreath, 2006, p. 457). One such 'post-existential' dimension of Latvia's foreign policy was the country's intensified relations with Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, which were Latvia's main development cooperation partners (Galbreath & Lamoreaux, 2007;Galbreath et al, 2008, pp. 59, 67).…”

When History Matters: Baltic and Polish Reactions to the Russo-Georgian War

“…Since Saakashvili also had the same foreign policy goals (EU and NATO membership) as his Baltic and Polish colleagues and a similar outlook on Russia, this seemed like a match made in heaven. With various forms of regime changes sweeping across the region, Polish and Baltic foreign policy makers positioned their countries as experts on transitional democracies and as 'bridges' westward for former Soviet republics (Galbreath & Lamoreaux 2007). They initiated a number of forums and organisations with the Council of Democracies being the most prominent one.…”