Strategie geopolityczne państw Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej w warunkach ewolucji postdwubiegunowego systemu stosunków międzynarodowych

Abstrakt

The economic and political priorities of the CEE countries were clearly associated with the goal of joining the EU, whereas the problem of national security has been the subject of in-depth discussions. A strict „no” to NATO expansion to the East by the USSR angered even moderate elements in Eastern European countries. Abandon the idea of joining NATO would recognize Russia’s right to veto their decisions. In 1995 the USA used formula of „intensive dialogue” with the countries-candidates. The reason was the concerns of the US that the weakening of NATO could lead to a weakening of American leadership.

The new members of NATO are becoming an outpost in the struggle with international terrorism. The problems of refugees, military spending, and military expenses on carrying out missions in areas previously not included in the sphere of responsibility of NATO also aggravated. On the other hand, the initiative inside NATO nicely encouraged. For ex., Poland has reached a beneficial role of integrator in NATO.

During the whole period Poland was the most active country among the EU newcomers. Its foreign policy has experienced a significant evolution. Poland started as most active of US allies in the EU, but now Poland is more interesting in ideas from Brussels.

Membership in the EU guarantees the increasing of energy security; project of construction of nuclear power plants is the most important in a political context: in the future it could prevent the increase of energy dependence on Russian gas monopoly. Access to EU funds contributed to the rapid correction of the economic situation in CEE after 2008; Poland and Slovakia preserve the positive indicators of economic growth. The image of the CEE significantly improved; their foreign policy agendas are becoming more ambitious. Thus, Poland sees itself as a regional leader and even tries to get right into the Big Twenty.