The conference has two major goals. The
first is to foster debate and academic
discussion regarding contemporary
problems facing the Balkan and Baltic
regions during a period of severe global
economic instability. These include the
rise of extremist political groups with
violent aims in the Baltics, the
continued activity of Balkan-origin
organized crime groups in Scandinavia,
and the role that Baltic states may play
in helping Western Balkan countries
integrate politically and
institutionally with the EU. The second
aim of the conference is to foster
cooperation and the creation of research
networks between scholars from two
geographical peripheries of Europe.
