| Abstract [eng] |
Subject of the study. National security of the small countries of the European region. The aim of the work is to analyse the realisation of the national security interests of small states in the European region in the changed security environment. Therefore this work analysis and interprets scientific literature, publications, documents and legislation. The concept of a small state and the specific features of realising its security interests are defined. A structured and functional analysis of nato-EU activities by the main regional security organisations, identified the potential of small states to influence their policies in a useful way. It was found that in the international relations system a small state is characterised by unavoidable asymmetry of power and is not able to independently secure the protection of vital interests and has limited power design capabilities beyond its borders. In order to defend national interests, it must focus on political and military alliances, exploit the possibilities of the system of international relations and the protection of international law, actively participate in diplomatic activities and, if able to use these methods effectively, its relative power in the global system will go far beyond the resources available. The analysis of the activities of the EU and NATO institutions finds that small European countries can project their power at regional and global level through collective defence and single market instruments. These institutions have developed a compromise-oriented decision-making culture acceptable to small countries, political power and influence at the global level today do not have equal levels. The analysis of Russia's confrontation with the West has shown that after Europe became united, Russia became unable to challenge not only on economical but also on military levels, therefore, it limited its threats to a regional ones-in the Baltic and Black Sea regions. The analysis of the strategic documents of the National Security Policy of the Republic of Lithuania dertermined that Lithuania's national security policy is consistent, rational, active and adjusted according to changes in the security environment. As a small state, it tends to exploit the opportunities offered by NATO and the EU, develops multilateral relations in the Baltic-Nordic format, and promotes the development of the EU and NATO towards the Eastern Neighbourhood countries. As a result of the changed security environment, the Rebublic of Lithuania has been forced to expand its military forces and increase the deployment of Allied forces in the region. |
