Institute of Central Europe/Baltic Team

Zespół: Baltic Team

Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1236
Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team

Sweden’s Security Policy: Operationalising Its Role in NATO

Upon joining NATO in March 2024, Sweden embarked on the process of integrating into the Alliance’s missions (including deterrence and defence) and embedding within NATO’s political and military structures. The centre-right coalition government led by Ulf Kristersson has significantly raised defence spending, reaching 2.14% of GDP in 2024. Over the next few years, priorities...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1220
Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team

Two Years of Ulf Kristersson’s Government in Sweden: A Shift in Migration Policy and the Fight Against Crime

The minority coalition government of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in power in Sweden since October 2022, has faced significant challenges over the past two years, particularly in tackling organised crime. The policies introduced so far – such as stricter immigration laws and a reduction in refugee intake – have contributed to improving security but have also led to a...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1211
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Ukraine: limited prospects for Azerbaijan to fill the gap left by Russian natural gas

As of January 1, 2025, the five-year Russian-Ukrainian agreement from 2019 on the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukraine will expire. This will significantly impact the availability and price of natural gas in Europe during the upcoming heating season. While Azerbaijan could potentially help fill the gap left by Russian supplies, the chances of this are limited....

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1210
Marlena Gołębiowska | Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

Estonia: the concept of a ‘personal state’

In 2024, Estonia, one of the world’s leaders in digitalisation, announced the next stage in the development of its public administration. The concept of a ‘personal state’ (Est. personale riik) is intended to elevate the relationship between citizens and the administration to a new level. The state aims not only to respond to citizens’ needs, but also to anticipate...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1207
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Intensification of natural gas cooperation between the Baltic States and Finland

For many years, the Baltic States and Finland have actively worked to strengthen energy security, focusing on the creation of a unified natural gas market, increasing trade, and—since the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine—coordinating anti-crisis measures in the energy sector. One key aspect of this effort was the adoption of amendments to Latvia’s Energy Act...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1204
Aleksandra Kuczyńska-Zonik - Baltic Team

Russians banned from buying property in states of the Baltic Sea region

The countries of the Baltic Sea region have been of interest to Russian entrepreneurs and investors for years due to their geographical proximity and dynamic economic development. As a result, some real estate located near strategic facilities is currently owned by Russians, posing a challenge to the security of the countries in the region. Bans on the purchase of land by citizens...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1202
Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team

Poland’s Presidency in the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR)

On 1 July 2024, Poland assumed the annual presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), which will last until June 2025. In addition to advancing projects aligned with the three primary priorities – protecting the sea, fostering regional integration, and enhancing prosperity – Poland intends to improve regional security and increase cooperation...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1191
Michał Paszkowski - Baltic Team

Croatia’s Oil Infrastructure: A Key Element of Central European Energy Security

Due to its strategic geographical location and existing infrastructure, Croatia plays a critical role in the supply of crude oil to refineries in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia. The Omišalj crude oil terminal and the Adria pipeline are particularly significant in this regard. The importance of this infrastructure has grown since the outbreak of the...

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Baltic Team

IEŚ Commentaries 1187
Damian Szacawa - Baltic Team

“Soft security” in the Baltic Sea Region: regional cooperation to enhance societal resilience and critical infrastructure protection

The Nordic states consider critical infrastructure protection as part of their comprehensive security. The long-standing tradition of trans-border cooperation in this area will facilitate the implementation of the EU’s Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive. The exchange of experience and practical operational cooperation within regional structures (Nordic Council of...

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