Juodosios jūros subregionalizmas ; Black Sea subregionalism
Black Sea subregionalism After the end of Cold war and the disintegration of USSR in Europe appeared newly independent countries, which remained outside euro – atlantic cooperation systems. Both the Middle East Europe and the West Europe did not want to allow the formation of new divisions in the continent. Therefore the subregionalism became a solution, that allowed a post – Soviet states to seek reforms collectively and the Western Europe to provide financial and technical support and thus to transfer its values and norms. Black sea sub-region receives a lot of discussion, because its existence is often questioned. However, the development of this area is particularly important for long – term energetic and "soft" security of both Lithuania and the EU. This paper aims to examine the sub-regional cooperation processes in the Black Sea sub-region and out the following tasks: 1. Present theoretical interpretation of subregionalism, 2. Analyze subregional processes in the Black Sea region, 3. Introduce four sub-regional cooperation structures - BSEC, GUAM, Community of Democratic Choice and the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership. The description and literature analysis are used then discussing the theoretical interpretation of subregionalism. Historical descriptive method is used to review the hostorical developments of subregional groups. Secondary data and content analysis methods are used for other objects. Work is done through a number of coclusions. In particular, it should be noted that a region and subregion don't differ from each other qualitatively – they are different only in their geographical scope, ie. the subregion is a subset of the region. Also, it should be noted that subregion is a conceptually weak concept, because it is used to distinguish between regional processes taking place in Europe after the Cold War, and in order to distinguish them from the broader regionalism forms (eg. NATO and the EU). Subregional groups usually address multilateral problems and seak to eliminate the divisions (eg. BSEC, the Baltic Sea States Council). However, their activities, although not directly targeted, but also contributes to the membership of the EU / NATO prospects (CEFTA, the Visegrad Group) and the enhancement of security (BSEC). Althought there is no agreement on whether the area around the Black sea can be considered a region and, if possible, which states are entitled. However, it is obvious that subregional processes are proceeding. The first sub-regional cooperation framework - the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization aims to deal with multilateral issues, making it a functional organization (business and economic development of cooperation in the region). Nevertheless, over 20 years of operation, it failed to implement trade liberalization among its members. However, it should be noted that this organization has been extremely effective in the destruction of the dividing lines (BSEC members are also EU / NATO members, candidate countries and countries without membership prospects). Other sub-regional cooperation structures - GUAM, Community of Democratic Choice and the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership are established to counterbalance Russian influence and are considered as anti - Russian. It is therefore concluded that these organizations do not contribute to the promotion of integration in the Black Sea.