Baltics might open NATO to Sweden, Finland

Published: 25 June 2001 y., Monday
The chances are "nearly 50-50" that all three Baltic countries -- and not just one -- could be invited to join the NATO defense alliance during the Prague Summit in 2002, writes Pentti Sadeniemi , a columnist for the Finnish daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat. And if Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania join, the move could open the door to both traditionally neutral Sweden and cautious Finland to enter the NATO fold. Writes Sadeniemi, " if the Balts do join, then the platform for discussion in Finland will change." Russia's reaction, meanwhile, is hard to predict, the columnist says. Russia might accept that it has no veto over NATO expansion in the Baltic Rim, Sadeniemi suggests, or might find recourse in adopting American foreign policy strategy: "Don't get mad, get even."
Šaltinis: latviansonline.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Integration Aspirations of Belarus

Lukashenka: EU and USA Bring Pressure On Minsk Because Of Friendship With Russia more »

The Development of Bilateral Ties

Chinese president vows to further political, economic ties with Azerbaijan more »

Putin wants good relations with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a one-day fence-mending trip to Ukraine on Saturday to seek assurances the country's new government will not drive the two countries apart more »

EU leaders meet on Russia ties

FRENCH President Jacques Chirac tomorrow will host the leaders of Germany, Spain and Russia for informal talks and a working dinner aimed at repairing strained ties between Europe and Russia more »

Russian and Ukrainian leaders to meet in Kiev

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a visit to Ukraine on March 19 to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko more »

Crown stays strong in face of government crisis

The current turmoil in the ruling coalition has been seen by many politicians as a major shake-up for the whole country more »

The SLD and President pressure Belka to stay in office beyond Ma

The Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) asked Prime Minister Marek Belka not to submit his resignation before the European Council summit which will be held in Warsaw in mid May more »

A Special Governmental Consultative Meeting

Russian Government Preparing Proposals on Revision of Trade with Moldova more »

Moldova's Top Court Upholds Election Results

Moldova's Constitutional Court today upheld the ruling Communists' victory in parliamentary elections earlier this month more »

Moscow Hopes to Launch Talks over Military Bases in March

Russia hopes to hold consultations with the Georgian side over the Russian military bases stationed in Georgia “in the third decade of March” more »