БАЛКАНСКОЕ НАПРАВЛЕНИЕ СОВРЕМЕННОЙ ВНЕШНЕЙ ПОЛИТИКИ ЧЕШСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ

Abstract

The article examines one of the directions of the foreign policy of the Czech Republic - the Balkan one. Based on the analysis of government documents on foreign policy, it is noted that this vector cannot be considered a priority. Nevertheless, the development of the situation in the Balkans is of considerable interest in Czech society. The main topic discussed in the article is the integration of the Balkan states into the European Union. The article reveals the connection between the foreign policy strategy of the Czech Republic and the current state of the Czech political scene, where the discussion on the recognition of Kosovo's independence plays a significant role. In connection with the active use of the «southern Balkan route» by migrants, certain problems of the migration policy of the Czech Republic are considered in the context of the fight against illegal migration. The main research method is content analysis of foreign policy documents of the Czech government and speeches of Czech politicians. The author concludes that the Czech Republic actively supports the process of European integration of the Balkan states, considering it an indispensable condition for the stable economic and political development of all countries in the region and a guarantee of the preservation of peace and security in Europe as a whole.