CFE and the Baltic Rim

Abstract

This chapter explores the different interests of the Baltic Rim states in the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE). Four states — Denmark, Germany, Poland and Russia — are parties to CFE, as are all members of NATO and the former Warsaw Pact. Finland and Sweden, both neutral and non-aligned throughout the Cold War, are not parties to CFE. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as member states of the former Soviet Union, were part of the CFE regime from Treaty signature in November 1990 until they achieved independence from Moscow in late 1991. At that time the United States insisted that the three Baltic states opt out of the Treaty. In retrospect the 1991 Baltic opt-out looks misguided, although at the time only Poland and Hungary raised any objections.