Suchergebnisse

In the 20 years since the 'Baltic Way', a common identity has resurfaced among the Baltic states, which are bound by strong geo-strategic interests and political ties to the European Union, NATO and the forum of cooperation of the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB-8). One of the EU's current challenges is to address the problems of uneven infrastructure and economic development in the Baltic region, along with the environmental hazards threatening the Baltic Sea. The author argues that the EU's Baltic Sea Strategy will be highly useful for restoring and maintaining the ecological balance of the Baltic Sea and for promoting balanced economic development in the region. Latvia is committed to the development of an integrated energy market and seeks to foster growth and competitiveness through the elimination of economic and social disparities in the Baltic region. Full support from all Baltic states, the European Union and international institutions and programmes is essential for reaching these goals.

Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- Authors' Note -- About the Authors -- Map -- Introduction -- Motivation -- Key Lessons -- Structure of the Book -- Ch 1 Latvia's Post-Soviet Transition -- A Bitter Struggle for Independence -- Radical Transition to a Normal Market Economy -- Evolution of Latvia's Democratic Politics -- Notes -- Ch 2 The Boom, 2004-07 -- EU Accession Crowning the Success of Transition -- Capital Inflows Overheat the Economy -- Politics of Complacency -- Notes -- Ch 3 Policy Choices and the Program of Crisis Resolution, 2008 -- Fall 2008: The Bubble Pops -- Run on Parex Bank: Latvia Calls in the IMF -- The International Assistance Package -- Notes -- Ch 4 To Devalue or Not to Devalue -- Arguments for a Fixed Exchange Rate -- Arguments for Devaluation -- How Latvia Differs from Argentina -- The IMF Verdict -- Notes -- Ch 5 Implementation of the Stabilization Program, 2009 -- Collapse of the Godmanis Government -- Formation of the Dombrovskis Government -- A New Stabilization Program Takes Shape -- Devaluation Crisis, But Adoption of a New Budget, June 2009 -- Complicated IMF-EU Negotiations -- Budget for 2010 -- Notes -- Ch 6 The Healing Begins, 2010 -- Estonia Qualifies for the Euro, March-June 2010 -- October 2010 Parliamentary Elections: Popular Approval of Crisis Resolution -- Budget for 2011 -- Economic Growth Returns -- Notes -- Ch 7 Latvia's Lessons for Itself and the World -- Why Latvia Was Right Not to Have Devalued -- Latvian Peculiarities -- Lessons from Latvia for the World -- Eyes on the Prize: Euro Adoption and European Convergence -- Notes -- Leading Latvian Officials -- Chronology of Events -- Index.