PIETŲ KAUKAZO REGIONAS: TARP GEOPOLITIKOS IR ENERGETIKOS. EUROPOS SĄJUNGOS POZICIJA

Abstract

This article discusses the transformation of the concept of security in the context of energy policy. In the work the energy factor is approached as one of the main components in the shaping of national security. The analysis of energy policy of the South Caucasus has been chosen for substantiation of the aforementioned statement. After carrying out the analysis of geopolitical and geo-energetic aspects in the South Caucasus region, it can be stated that this area is a battlefield with colliding national interests of both Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, which results in complicated relations and “frozen conflicts” between the countries, and interests of the major actors in the world affairs, i.e. EU, Russia and the USA. In the energy context, these interests assume the importance of strategic steps. Both further development of the South Caucasus region, energy situation of the EU and Russia’s opportunities to remain the monopoly of energy resources depend on the trends of foreign policy in each of the countries. KEY WORDS: security, energy security, EU Eastern Partnership Policy, South Caucasus energy.