Economics, EU – Baltic States, Forum

Stockholm School of Economics in Riga

Along with the economic growth new challenges have emerged in the Baltic States – high level of inflation, excessive inland consumption, as well as external economic imbalance. The conference will address the question: what is the future of the Baltic States' economy and what are the possible solutions to prevent the so-called "hard landing".

Among the participants of the conference will be Estonian parliament deputy Mart Laar, Chair of the European Political Economy at the London School of Economics and Political Science Willem Buiter, Head of Cabinet of European Commission (EC) Vice-President and the former Estonian Economy Minister Henrik Hoholei, Vice-Chairman of the European Parliament (EP) political group "European People's Party/European Democrats" Gunnar Hokmark, President of the Bank of Latvia Ilmars Rimsevics and other experts from Latvia and abroad.

The conference is organized by EP deputy Valdis Dombrovskis (New Era), in cooperation with the newspaper Diena and the public organization "Economists Association 2010".

At 11 a.m. a press briefing of the conference with the participation of Dombrovskis, president of the "Economists Association 2010" Ojars Kehris and Laar will be organized.

"Aim of the conference is not only to summon up ideas and seek for solutions to slow down the "hard landing", but also to set definite tasks, through which the impact of the economic crisis on the residents would be lessened," says Dombrovskis.

Kehris believes that this conference could contribute to the solution of economic problems. "At the moment it looks like the so-called Baltic economic tigers – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, have slowed down due to their exhaustion and also to the external challenges. Either the tigers will stop and will turn into kittens, or will find stimulus and motivation for a further run, will be discussed in the conference today," president of the "Economists Association 2010" explains.