Security Dimensions of Geopolitical Initiatives in the Сentral and Еastern Еurope Region

Abstract

From 2014 till today one can observe the process of reshaping of the existing system of international relations, the transformation of approaches to the resolution of military and political conflicts of both individual states and international organizations, the formation of new military-political alliances and blocs. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the security potential of some recent geopolitical initiatives in the region of Central-Eastern Europe, in particular, the Central European Initiative, the Three Seas Initiative and the Lublin Triangle. Central European Initiative was founded in 1989 in Budapest. It was created in order to develop the cooperation of the member states in the sphere of politics, economy and culture. The main purpose is their inclusion in the European integration processes. Currently, there are 9 EU member states from CEI member states, which makes possible establishing of the effective interaction and partnership relations between them and the states that have declared their will to join the EU. The Three Seas Initiative (or Trymorja (Three Seas), also known as the Baltic-Adriatic-Black Sea Initiative) appeared on the geopolitical map of Central and Eastern Europe in August, 2016 in Croatia, Dubrovnik. The main goal of Trymorja is to develop the economy and enhance closer cooperation between the regions of Central and Eastern Europe. The Lublin Triangle was created on July 28, 2020 “with the aim of strengthening political dialogue, trust and strategic partnership between Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine in the field of security and defence, supporting the development of economic cooperation and cultural exchange”. All before mentioned initiatives support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. Their participants condemned the Russian invasion and cooperate for protection of the international order and law. While CEI and Trymorja are more economic initiatives, Lublin Triangle has a strong security component. The last one is important under conditions of the open war in Europe. In contemporary conditions the role of such regional initiatives is growing and they are creating the new architecture of international order.