This analysis aims to evaluate the implementation of the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the challenges it faced, with particular emphasis on the objectives of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy. The article describes the French Presidency in a broader European geopolitical context, which affected the final shape of the presidency's goals and their implementation.
The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 brought a major change in the global balance of power. After 45 years under an imposed communist regime, the countries of Central Europe regain their freedom and sovereignty. The historically, culturally and geographically homogeneous region (at the same time widely diverse in terms of ethnic and religious structure) "returns to Europe". In this new scheme of international relations, it faces new challenges: political and economic transformation, a revision of its relations with its most important neighbors (the former USSR, unified Germany and the Commonwealth of Independent States), the choice of a security model for the region (neutrality, collective security, the European or the Euro-Atlantic option). The countries of Central Europe decide to develop cooperation within the regional (the Visegrad Group, the Central European Initiative, the Central European Free Trade Agreement) and the sub-regional (Euroregions) dimension, and to join the most important security organizations in the world (NATO, OSCE, UN, EU) in order to ensure and increase security in the region. As a consequence, their security system is currently based on the North Atlantic Treaty and the Common Security and Defense Policy, and supported by networks of regional cooperation as well as enduring and dependable relations with their neighbors. In light of the dynamics of the security process, these countries must now confront new challenges, which include the missile defense shield, terrorism, energy security and the Kaliningrad problem. The "New Europe" as an equal player on the international stage has become the gauge of security on the European continent. ; Le changement historique de l'ordre international a lieu après la chute du Rideau de fer en 1989. Les pays de l'Europe centrale après 45 ans de régime communiste regagnent leur liberté et souveraineté. Cette région historiquement, culturellement et géographiquement homogène et en même temps hétérogène (ethniquement et religieusement) « revient en ...
The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 brought a major change in the global balance of power. After 45 years under an imposed communist regime, the countries of Central Europe regain their freedom and sovereignty. The historically, culturally and geographically homogeneous region (at the same time widely diverse in terms of ethnic and religious structure) "returns to Europe". In this new scheme of international relations, it faces new challenges: political and economic transformation, a revision of its relations with its most important neighbors (the former USSR, unified Germany and the Commonwealth of Independent States), the choice of a security model for the region (neutrality, collective security, the European or the Euro-Atlantic option). The countries of Central Europe decide to develop cooperation within the regional (the Visegrad Group, the Central European Initiative, the Central European Free Trade Agreement) and the sub-regional (Euroregions) dimension, and to join the most important security organizations in the world (NATO, OSCE, UN, EU) in order to ensure and increase security in the region. As a consequence, their security system is currently based on the North Atlantic Treaty and the Common Security and Defense Policy, and supported by networks of regional cooperation as well as enduring and dependable relations with their neighbors. In light of the dynamics of the security process, these countries must now confront new challenges, which include the missile defense shield, terrorism, energy security and the Kaliningrad problem. The "New Europe" as an equal player on the international stage has become the gauge of security on the European continent. ; Le changement historique de l'ordre international a lieu après la chute du Rideau de fer en 1989. Les pays de l'Europe centrale après 45 ans de régime communiste regagnent leur liberté et souveraineté. Cette région historiquement, culturellement et géographiquement homogène et en même temps hétérogène (ethniquement et religieusement) « revient en Europe ». Dans cette nouvelle architecture elle se retrouve devant des défis majeurs : les transformations politiques et économiques, la redéfinition des relations avec les plus importants voisins (l'ex-URSS, l'Allemagne unie et la CEI) et le choix d'une option pour la sécurité de leur région (la neutralité, le système collectif, le modèle européen ou la variante euro-atlantique). Les pays centre-européens décident de développer une coopération régionale (Groupe de Visegrád, ICE, ALECE), subrégionale (euro-régions) et devenir les membres des plus importantes organisations internationales de sécurité (OTAN, OSCE, ONU et UE) afin d'assurer et renforcer la sécurité dans la région. Désormais, leur système de sécurité est fondé sur l'Alliance atlantique et la Politique de sécurité et de défense commune ainsi qu'il est soutenu par une coopération régionale développée et des relations efficaces et durables avec le voisinage le plus proche. À l'aube de XXIe siècle face à une dynamique de sécurité les pays centre-européens se retrouvent devant les nouveaux défis : le bouclier anti-missile, la globalisation, le terrorisme, la sécurité énergétique et la question de Kaliningrad. « La nouvelle Europe » comme un jouer à plein droit sur l'arène internationale devient un baromètre de la sécurité du continent européen.
Strongly affected by modern history and facing dilemmas of modernity, Central and Eastern Europe has been healing fresh wounds for the past 30 years. The present volume analyzes the contemporary challenges related to the heritage of 1989. The peaceful revolution brought substantial socio-cultural, institutional and strategic transformations, setting a long-term course for Central and Eastern European policymaking. Recently, however, these legacies, namely the geopolitical aspects of the transformation, the policies of collective memory, and even intrasocietal issues, have been questioned more than ever. It seems the region is approaching the end of a revolutionary cycle of transition. This volume tries to investigate this phenomenon as it unfolds.
