5th NORDIC-BALTIC CONFERENCE IN REGIONAL SCIENCE
GLOBAL-LOCAL INTERPLAY IN THE BALTIC SEA REGION
Pärnu, Estonia, October 1-4, 1998

Prof. Margarita Ratanova
Department of Economic and Social Geography
Moscow State University
MGU 119899, Moscow, Russia
Tel.: 095 939 26544    Fax: 095 932 8836 / 393 2238

During many historic periods Baltic Republics represented the part of economic space common with Russia. The intensive traffic of various goods was characteristic of their territory connecting Russia and Western Europe. Since the middle of the nineteenth century Baltic countries became the part of all-Russian common market. That was a time of rapid growth of industrial activity.
During Soviet times alongside with the growth of industrial production the stable connections were established for exchange by raw materials and products of the countries with Russian regions.

After disintegration of the USSR only transit transportation through Baltic ports remains out of all the various connections. Such a unilateral economic situation can not last long time. The interests of both Baltic countries and Russia require diversification of connections and economic relations. We consider that there exist several directions of possible revival and broadening of connections.

1. Exchange by production of agro-industrial complex (to Russia) and by agricultural equipment and mineral fertilizers (from Russia).
2. Revival of the recreational potential of Baltic countries, increase in number of tourists from Russian regions. In this field it is possible to implement mutual projects with interested regions. At the same time some Russian regions can be attractive for visitors from Baltic countries.
3. Education, student exchange, broadening of youth exchange.

We are neighbours and we can understand each other much better if our relations are more closer. This is especially important for young generation.