The most commonly heard arguments by the yes and no sides before the 2003 EU referendums.
Power Blocs
Yeses—Best Punch
“A no to the EU is a yes to Russia.”
—A common pro-EU argument, suggesting that rejecting the EU would signal to the Kremlin that the Baltics are fair game for economic, political and maybe even military pressure. Membership [...]

In Europe’s embrace, Baltics look to better times
Anyone, anywhere who lives to 100 has seen their share of history. But centenarian Aurora Voites, not unlike her native Estonia, has seen more than her fair share.
Born under a Czarist Russian flag, she saw scores of invaders hoist their flags nearby. During World Wars I and II, [...]

What the Baltic countries might learn from the Celtic Tiger’s EU experience.
The Baltics, and most other EU newcomers, aren’t shy about revealing their greatest fantasy now that they are firmly in the bloc: it is, namely, to be another Ireland, to be another Celtic Tiger. As of the mid-1980s, the Emerald Isle was an economic [...]

There has been much talk about the Baltic states entering the EU on May 1, 2004. But has anyone noticed any practical changes? We asked businessmen throughout the Baltic, but received only one serious—well, semi-serious—answer:
“One of the unquestionable changes has been longer passport line-ups for the Finns upon their return from Finland—the Estonians can now [...]

EU Could Usher in Better Russian Relations
Baltic entry into the European Union, planned for next year, could improve what have often been severely strained diplomatic and trade relations with neighboring Russia, officials in the Baltic states say. Estonian Prime Minister Juhan Parts said Wednesday, just days before a Sept. 14 referendum on EU membership, that [...]