Nordic Swans and Baltic Cygnets

Since 1991, Nordic assistance to the Baltic states, especially in the security field, has been considerable. The approaches of the four main Nordic states to this task are outlined and the reasons for such a high Nordic involvement examined. Structure-related conditioners have tended to provide opportunity for action, while the actor-related elements have mostly determined whether and which openings were taken up. These conditioners also explain the differences in the Nordic programmes, with interpretations of the countries' salient security environment being an important variable.