Migration processes in the Baltic States – the dynamic of change

Migration processes are one of the most important topics of political discussion in contemporary Europe1. On one hand there is an intensive flow of immigrants to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Pakistan, Eritrea and many others creating a serious division between the EU members over the problem of resetting refuges2. On the other hand huge migration movements are observed inside Europe. Inhabitants of central and eastern UE member states want to increase their standard of living looking for new chances and job opportunities abroad. In the case of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania such migration movements seem to be very dangerous for societies drastically reducing the number of inhabitants of three states which are very poorly inhabited. Demographic problems and regular migrations are stated to be quite troubled for the Baltic States. History of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was always quite complicated. From 1940 till the end of 1991 they were the parts of the Soviet Union without stronger influence on domestic politics. Since 1950s the three states had become the parts of soviet industrialization project combined with high migration flow. The drastic changes in Baltic societies were the result of introduced migration movements,