Foreign Policy of Central and Eastern European Countries 2104-GPIR-D3FPCE

1-2. Eastern Europe and Central Europe as regions in international relations. Different perceptions and divisions of Eastern Europe and Central Europe. Concepts of East-Central Europe and Central and Eastern Europe. East-Central Europe – one region or many? The impact of historical factors on shaping the regions.

3-4. General characteristics of Eastern Europe and Central Europe – similarities and differences (political, economic, social, cultural factors, international identities of Eastern European and Central European countries). Security problems in the regions. Armed conflicts after the end of the cold war. “Frozen conflicts” in Europe. The problem of the non-recognised countries.

5-6. International integration of Eastern European and Central European countries. Competition between the West and Russia. Shaping the new division of Europe. The EU and NATO versus the Eurasian Economic Union and the CSTO. The role of the USA in these regions.

7-10. Foreign policies of Eastern European countries:

- the Russian Federation as a global and regional power; Russia’s influence in post-Soviet area and Central Europe;

- Ukraine – from a divided, buffer state to a united, pro-Western entity? Ukraine’s future prospects;

- Belarus in IR;

- Georgia – a small Transcaucasian country in the “great game” of powers;

- Armenia and Azerbaijan in IR.

11-14. Foreign policies of the Baltic, Central European and Balkan states:

- Poland between the USA and the EU’s powers; Poland in the EU and the NATO; Polish ambitions and capabilities: a leader of the Visegrad Group and “Eastern dimension” of the EU? Polish system transformation and attractiveness of Poland for its neighbours; Poland-Russia relations; 3 Seas Initiative;

- post-Soviet Baltic republics: challenges for development in the shadow of the “Russian bear”;

- V-4 countries in IR;

- Balkan countries in IR.

15. Summary. Test.