This Article examines the Republic of Estonia’s position in the Baltic Sea region and the European Union from a constitutional law perspective. The Article is divided into two parts. Part I is based on the assumption that Estonia must be set in its own context – the Baltic Sea region, which does not only involve the three Baltic states. International organizations and forums ensuring cooperation in that area are looked through. Furthermore, the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, adopted in 2009, is analyzed. Part II, instead, aims at demonstrating that Estonia is a well-integrated EU Member state. Firstly, Estonia’s new orientation to the West in the early 1990s is described. Secondly, it is argued that the Constitution approved in 1992 did not boil down to restoring Pre-Soviet constitutional order. The relation between the Constitution and EU law is then explored. Thirdly, scrutiny of EU matters by the Estonian Parliament is addressed. Fourthly, Part II also deals with recent financial stabilization and economic governance measures taken at EU level and their implications on Estonia’s sovereignty. The Supreme Court has deemed strengthening stability within the euro area to be included among Estonia’s constitutional values.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction. – I. Cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. – A. The “Baltic states” concept. – B. Inter-parliamentary and inter-governmental cooperation in the Baltic Sea region. – C. The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region – II. Estonia and the European Union. – A. Estonia in the aftermath of regained independence: approaching the West. – B. Estonia’s Constitution and accession to the EU. – C. The Estonian Parliament dealing with EU matters. – 1. The European Union Affairs Committee of the Parliament and the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. – 2. Control of subsidiarity. – 3. IPEX database and COSAC meetings. – D. Financial stabilization and economic governance measures. – 1. Estonia’s fiscal austerity policy in 2009. – 2. Measures taken at EU level in recent years and Estonian sovereignty. – Conclusion.
