THE BALTIC STATES: ON THE THRESHOLD OF EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATIONS

Zbog strategijskog položaja baltički su narodi kroz svoju povijest uvijek bili svojevrsna tampon zona, što je u velikoj mjeri utjecalo na njihov razvoj. U novim europskim uvjetima danas je Baltik u stanovitom smislu rubno područje, ali isto tako s obzirom na blizinu Rusije zauzima istaknuto strategijsko mjesto. U svom nastojanju za ulaskom u NATO i EU baltičke zemlje vide jamstvo svoje sigurnosti i stabilnog razvoja. To bi trebao biti put u Europu i ujedno mogućnost za rješavanje vrlo osjetljivih odnosa s Rusijom, koja i dalje ostaje važan akter koji utječe na baltičke zemlje.Due to their strategic position, the Baltic peoples throughout their history have always been a kind of a buffer-zone, which has to a large extent affected their development. In the new European environment, the Baltic region is today somewhat marginalized, but because of its proximity to Russia it has an important strategic position. They want to join NATO and the EU because the Baltic states in this see a guarantee of their security and stability. This may also be an opportunity for solving the very delicate relationship with Russia, still an important actor influencing the Baltic states