From Soviet Republics to EU Member States. A Legal and Political Assessment of the Baltic States' Accession to the EU - In 2 Volumes

From Soviet Republics to EU Member States addresses the legal and political challenges surrounding the EU accession of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Based upon a profound analysis of the Baltic States’ historic development and international legal status, this book examines the gradual development of bilateral relations between the EU and each of the Baltic countries. It discusses the strategic policy choices made in the EU’s fifth enlargement wave and the consequences of its pre-accession strategies. Specific attention is devoted to the impact of enlargement on the triangular relationship between the EU, the Baltic States and Russia. Finally, the constitutional changes within the Baltic States and within the European Union itself are taken into account. Readership:This book will be of interest to scholars and students dealing with EU external relations. It is of particular interest to lawyers but will also be interesting for political scientists and international relations specialists.

INTRODUCTION PART I : The Baltic States in Europe: Historical, Legal and Geopolitical Context Chapter 1. A Struggle for Dominance: From the Northern Crusades to the Russian Empire Chapter 2. The Creation of Independent Baltic Republics Chapter 3. 1920-1940: The Years of Independence Chapter 4. Incorporation into the Soviet Union Chapter 5. 1985-1991: National Reawakening and the Restoration of Independence Chapter 6. Defining the International Legal Status of the Baltic States: State Continuity or State Succession? Conclusions: The Determinant Role of the Baltic States’ History and International Legal Status PART II : The Legal Framework of Relations between the EC/EU and the Baltic States before Accession to the EU Chapter 1. The Incremental Making of the EC’s Ostpolitik: Towards a Policy of Differentiation Chapter 2. Integrating the Baltic States in the EC/EU’s External Policies Chapter 3. Catching up with the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe Chapter 4. Consequences for the Internal Legal Order of the Baltic States Chapter 5. The Emergence of an EU Policy towards the Baltic Sea Region: Characteristics and Limitations Chapter 6. Explaining the Development of EC/EU-Baltic Relations: Internal and External Factors Conclusions: The Baltic States and the European Union: Assessment of the Evolving Relationship PART III : The Baltic States and the EU’s Pre-Accession Strategies Chapter 1. The Legal Framework of EU Enlargement Chapter 2. The Introduction of a ‘Pre-Accession Strategy’ Chapter 3. The Dilemmas of Differentiation between the Candidate Countries Chapter 4. The ‘Enhanced Pre-Accession Strategy’: Reconciling Inclusion and Differentiation Chapter 5. Preparing for Enlargement: Reconciling Widening and Deepening Conclusions: Characteristics of the EU’s Enlargement Methodology and Pre-accession Strategies PART IV : The Accession Negotiations: A Post-Factum Analysis Chapter 1. The Legal Framework of EU Accession Negotiations Chapter 2. Accession Negotiations in Practice: The Case of the Baltic States Chapter 3. Drafting the Treaty of Accession Conclusions: The Treaty of Accession and Differentiation in the EU PART V : The Impact of EU Enlargement on the Triangular Relationship between the EU, Russia and the Baltic States Chapter 1. Towards a New Approach in EU-Russia Relations? Chapter 2. Remaining Challenges in Baltic-Russian Relations Chapter 3. The Role of the Baltic States in the EU’s Relations with Russia Conclusions: EU Enlargement as a “Deus ex Machina”? PART VI : The Constitutional Consequences of EU Enlargement: Developments at the National and European Level Chapter 1. The Adaptation of the Baltic States’ Legal Systems Chapter 2. The Role of the Baltic States in the Process of European Constitutionalisation Conclusions: The Constitutional Challenges after Enlargement GENERAL CONCLUSIONS