Border Treaties Between Russia and the Baltic States

Abstract

The research work Beyond EU Enlargement (Volume I)¹ presents the European Union’s major problems and risks linked with its enlargement. In a few years, the eastern border of the EU will become a line of direct contact with Russia, one of the main power, economic and development centers of the modern world. Until now, the EU has had such contact along the border between Finland and Russia, which does not conceal any special problems or risks for the EU, because international relations between Finland and Russia have been peaceful and normal for decades. During its ongoing enlargement, howeverm the European Union is to incorporate territories and states, which Russia regards as part of its sphere of influence on the basis of a long tradition. What that will bring to the EU, what kind of problems and questions have to be solved, and what influence it imposes on both sides of the future border, as well as relations between them — these are very hard but, at the same time, very necessary issues to discuss.