СТРАТЕГІЧНЕ ПАРТНЕРСТВО ЯК ПЕРЕДУМОВА РОЗВИТКУ ЗОВНІШНЬОЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ЗВ’ЯЗКІВ МІЖ ДЕРЖАВАМИ

Abstract

The article presents an investigation of the strategic partnership phenomenon as an instrument of foreign policy and international relations і and an important part of bilateral and multilateral relations between states. The history of the origin of the term, origins and principles of formation of this form of international legal cooperation is considered. The author’s approach includes the explication of the criteria and functions of strategic partnerships in international relations and certain factors that should be taken into account when referring to the format of relations as strategic between countries. The history of application of the strategic partnership instrument in the practice of Ukrainian foreign policy is studied: stages, current state, opinions of the expert community and regulatory framework. Much attention is paid to the analysis of world experience in the application of this tool in the practice of modern international relations. Forms of strategic partnership based on practice are considered. Potential approaches to the use of the instrument of strategic partnership in the system of interstate relations of Ukraine are considered. Given the growing importance of this instrument of foreign policy, Ukraine should clearly outline the basic approaches to forming a network of strategic partnership. The adoption of the National Security Strategy (September 2020) and the Foreign Policy Strategy of Ukraine (August 2021) was significant for Ukraine's foreign policy. These documents for the first time at the official level defined the list of strategic partners of Ukraine. The main goal of the strategic partnership is to solve economic problems. After the beginning of the Russian aggression, another sphere of cooperation within the strategic partnership became important – defense and security, which according to domestic experts should become decisive. It is most clearly stipulated in the Ukraine-US Strategic Partnership Charter of November 10, 2021. Emphasis is placed on the fact that strategic partnership relations do not always have only positive consequences. Among the risks: potential conflicts that may be due to changes in strategic interests, cultural differences, non-compliance by participants with the basic principles of partnership along with equality. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is an illustrative example, which was one of the first to be declared a strategic partner of our country. Thus, finding strategic partners is an ambiguous process. On the one hand, a clear long-term strategy is needed, and on the other hand, the ability to assess and respond to changing circumstances in partner countries and in the international arena.