The rapid growth of new technologies combined with public awareness of health care have encouraged national politicians to look for new ways to ensure patient satisfaction with health care services; therefore, the aim of the master's thesis is to explore the society's attitude towards medical self-diagnosis in the context of health policy in Lithuania. The first part of the work presents a review of foreign literature describing the concept and history of self-diagnosis, society's attitude to self-service technologies on a global scale, characteristics of medical information searching, advantages and disadvantages of self-diagnosis. The second part analyses government health care programs and health care legislation in order to determine what opportunities of medical self-diagnosis could be used in the national health policy. The third part of the work deals with research findings including features of the technology acceptance model. The fourth part presents conclusions and recommendations of the work.
The rapid growth of new technologies combined with public awareness of health care have encouraged national politicians to look for new ways to ensure patient satisfaction with health care services; therefore, the aim of the master's thesis is to explore the society's attitude towards medical self-diagnosis in the context of health policy in Lithuania. The first part of the work presents a review of foreign literature describing the concept and history of self-diagnosis, society's attitude to self-service technologies on a global scale, characteristics of medical information searching, advantages and disadvantages of self-diagnosis. The second part analyses government health care programs and health care legislation in order to determine what opportunities of medical self-diagnosis could be used in the national health policy. The third part of the work deals with research findings including features of the technology acceptance model. The fourth part presents conclusions and recommendations of the work.
Research relevance. Accidents at oil pipelines, gas pipelines, military sites, industrial sites or during transportation of hazardous materials as well as, catastrohpes at atomic energy plants and objects which use radioactive materials, epidemics, pandemics, acts of war – these and more potential causes of emergencies in Lithuania. However public society is not yet adequately informed about the correct ways to react to such events. Therefore it is important to research young peoples knowledge about such emergencies, in order to improve their preparation level, and knowledge, of how to conduct themselves in such situations. Research target. To evaluate young persons knowledge about extreme situations which cause threats to public health. Research tasks. To determine young persons perspective on the most pressing emergencies, causing threats to Lithuanian and world public health. To determine young persons information demand regarding preparation for emergency situations. To Evaluate young persons actioncs during emergencies of public health: saving oneself, providing assistance to other. To determinte what causes a lack of information about behaviour during public health emergencies amongst young people. Research methodology. Research was done in 17 municipalities by the anonymous questionaire method during the months of April-May in 2016. Participants were between the ages of 18-29: 502 males (37,9 %) and 821 females (62,1 %). Data analysis was carried out by the use of the stastitical program SPSS 21. The connection between the variables was evaluated using the χ² test. Logistic regression models were created, from them odds ratios were derived, confidence intervals of 95 % were assesed. Difference in results was held statistically significant, when p value <0,05. Research results and conclusions. The majority of respondents (75,4 %) hold the view that the most relevant emergency in Lithuania is contagious disease, in seocond place – transport accidents (74,5 %), and in third place – fires (72,3 %). Emergency situation structure differs by respondents sex, age, education, employment and residence. On the global scale, most respondents see acts of terrorism as the main possible emergency. The main source of information, from which respondents knew how to react to emergencies was organised training at educational institutions. These were identified by 45,7 % of respondants. However around 33,2 % of respondants had now information about what actions to take during such emergencies. Links between respondants incorrect behaviour during emergencies and respondants sex, age, education, employment and residence were identified.
Research relevance. Accidents at oil pipelines, gas pipelines, military sites, industrial sites or during transportation of hazardous materials as well as, catastrohpes at atomic energy plants and objects which use radioactive materials, epidemics, pandemics, acts of war – these and more potential causes of emergencies in Lithuania. However public society is not yet adequately informed about the correct ways to react to such events. Therefore it is important to research young peoples knowledge about such emergencies, in order to improve their preparation level, and knowledge, of how to conduct themselves in such situations. Research target. To evaluate young persons knowledge about extreme situations which cause threats to public health. Research tasks. To determine young persons perspective on the most pressing emergencies, causing threats to Lithuanian and world public health. To determine young persons information demand regarding preparation for emergency situations. To Evaluate young persons actioncs during emergencies of public health: saving oneself, providing assistance to other. To determinte what causes a lack of information about behaviour during public health emergencies amongst young people. Research methodology. Research was done in 17 municipalities by the anonymous questionaire method during the months of April-May in 2016. Participants were between the ages of 18-29: 502 males (37,9 %) and 821 females (62,1 %). Data analysis was carried out by the use of the stastitical program SPSS 21. The connection between the variables was evaluated using the χ² test. Logistic regression models were created, from them odds ratios were derived, confidence intervals of 95 % were assesed. Difference in results was held statistically significant, when p value <0,05. Research results and conclusions. The majority of respondents (75,4 %) hold the view that the most relevant emergency in Lithuania is contagious disease, in seocond place – transport accidents (74,5 %), and in third place – fires (72,3 %). Emergency situation structure differs by respondents sex, age, education, employment and residence. On the global scale, most respondents see acts of terrorism as the main possible emergency. The main source of information, from which respondents knew how to react to emergencies was organised training at educational institutions. These were identified by 45,7 % of respondants. However around 33,2 % of respondants had now information about what actions to take during such emergencies. Links between respondants incorrect behaviour during emergencies and respondants sex, age, education, employment and residence were identified.
Research relevance. Accidents at oil pipelines, gas pipelines, military sites, industrial sites or during transportation of hazardous materials as well as, catastrohpes at atomic energy plants and objects which use radioactive materials, epidemics, pandemics, acts of war – these and more potential causes of emergencies in Lithuania. However public society is not yet adequately informed about the correct ways to react to such events. Therefore it is important to research young peoples knowledge about such emergencies, in order to improve their preparation level, and knowledge, of how to conduct themselves in such situations. Research target. To evaluate young persons knowledge about extreme situations which cause threats to public health. Research tasks. To determine young persons perspective on the most pressing emergencies, causing threats to Lithuanian and world public health. To determine young persons information demand regarding preparation for emergency situations. To Evaluate young persons actioncs during emergencies of public health: saving oneself, providing assistance to other. To determinte what causes a lack of information about behaviour during public health emergencies amongst young people. Research methodology. Research was done in 17 municipalities by the anonymous questionaire method during the months of April-May in 2016. Participants were between the ages of 18-29: 502 males (37,9 %) and 821 females (62,1 %). Data analysis was carried out by the use of the stastitical program SPSS 21. The connection between the variables was evaluated using the χ² test. Logistic regression models were created, from them odds ratios were derived, confidence intervals of 95 % were assesed. Difference in results was held statistically significant, when p value <0,05. Research results and conclusions. The majority of respondents (75,4 %) hold the view that the most relevant emergency in Lithuania is contagious disease, in seocond place – transport accidents (74,5 %), and in third place – fires (72,3 %). Emergency situation structure differs by respondents sex, age, education, employment and residence. On the global scale, most respondents see acts of terrorism as the main possible emergency. The main source of information, from which respondents knew how to react to emergencies was organised training at educational institutions. These were identified by 45,7 % of respondants. However around 33,2 % of respondants had now information about what actions to take during such emergencies. Links between respondants incorrect behaviour during emergencies and respondants sex, age, education, employment and residence were identified.
Research relevance. Accidents at oil pipelines, gas pipelines, military sites, industrial sites or during transportation of hazardous materials as well as, catastrohpes at atomic energy plants and objects which use radioactive materials, epidemics, pandemics, acts of war – these and more potential causes of emergencies in Lithuania. However public society is not yet adequately informed about the correct ways to react to such events. Therefore it is important to research young peoples knowledge about such emergencies, in order to improve their preparation level, and knowledge, of how to conduct themselves in such situations. Research target. To evaluate young persons knowledge about extreme situations which cause threats to public health. Research tasks. To determine young persons perspective on the most pressing emergencies, causing threats to Lithuanian and world public health. To determine young persons information demand regarding preparation for emergency situations. To Evaluate young persons actioncs during emergencies of public health: saving oneself, providing assistance to other. To determinte what causes a lack of information about behaviour during public health emergencies amongst young people. Research methodology. Research was done in 17 municipalities by the anonymous questionaire method during the months of April-May in 2016. Participants were between the ages of 18-29: 502 males (37,9 %) and 821 females (62,1 %). Data analysis was carried out by the use of the stastitical program SPSS 21. The connection between the variables was evaluated using the χ² test. Logistic regression models were created, from them odds ratios were derived, confidence intervals of 95 % were assesed. Difference in results was held statistically significant, when p value <0,05. Research results and conclusions. The majority of respondents (75,4 %) hold the view that the most relevant emergency in Lithuania is contagious disease, in seocond place – transport accidents (74,5 %), and in third place – fires (72,3 %). Emergency situation structure differs by respondents sex, age, education, employment and residence. On the global scale, most respondents see acts of terrorism as the main possible emergency. The main source of information, from which respondents knew how to react to emergencies was organised training at educational institutions. These were identified by 45,7 % of respondants. However around 33,2 % of respondants had now information about what actions to take during such emergencies. Links between respondants incorrect behaviour during emergencies and respondants sex, age, education, employment and residence were identified.
The objectives are: • to discuss the theoretical aspects of the competitiveness concept, competitiveness factors, and to reveal their impact on the economy; • to compare the level of competitiveness of Lithuania and other EU countries in 2010 and evaluate the changes in competitiveness in these countries with reference to 2008; • to assess the factors that led to changes in the competitiveness of Lithuania in 2008-2010. In this article the concept of competitiveness is analyzed, the Global Competitiveness Index and its structure are defined, and competitiveness and its impact on the economy are discussed. Based on the Global Competitiveness Index analysis of Lithuania's competitiveness and its factors was performed. Both in 2008 and 2010 Lithuania's competitiveness was below the EU average and the gap increased. Despite that competitiveness index decreased in 2010, Lithuania remained at the same position among the European Union countries (18th place) as it was in 2008. Results showed that, compared with the EU countries, Lithuania's sources of competitiveness in 2010 were labour market efficiency, and higher education and training factors. Lithuania's competitiveness was particularly reduced by the size of the market and the evaluation of institutions, as by these factors Lithuania is below the EU average. Compared to 2008, in 2010 Lithuania improved its position in technological innovation field (moved from the 21st position to the 17th among the EU countries), and in health and primary education field (moved from the 25th position to the 24th). As to other factors of competitiveness, Lithuania's position in the context of other EU countries has gotten worse, especially the evaluation of the product (service) market efficiency (down from the 19th to the 24th position) and macroeconomic stability (down from the 16th to the 20th position).
The objectives are: • to discuss the theoretical aspects of the competitiveness concept, competitiveness factors, and to reveal their impact on the economy; • to compare the level of competitiveness of Lithuania and other EU countries in 2010 and evaluate the changes in competitiveness in these countries with reference to 2008; • to assess the factors that led to changes in the competitiveness of Lithuania in 2008-2010. In this article the concept of competitiveness is analyzed, the Global Competitiveness Index and its structure are defined, and competitiveness and its impact on the economy are discussed. Based on the Global Competitiveness Index analysis of Lithuania's competitiveness and its factors was performed. Both in 2008 and 2010 Lithuania's competitiveness was below the EU average and the gap increased. Despite that competitiveness index decreased in 2010, Lithuania remained at the same position among the European Union countries (18th place) as it was in 2008. Results showed that, compared with the EU countries, Lithuania's sources of competitiveness in 2010 were labour market efficiency, and higher education and training factors. Lithuania's competitiveness was particularly reduced by the size of the market and the evaluation of institutions, as by these factors Lithuania is below the EU average. Compared to 2008, in 2010 Lithuania improved its position in technological innovation field (moved from the 21st position to the 17th among the EU countries), and in health and primary education field (moved from the 25th position to the 24th). As to other factors of competitiveness, Lithuania's position in the context of other EU countries has gotten worse, especially the evaluation of the product (service) market efficiency (down from the 19th to the 24th position) and macroeconomic stability (down from the 16th to the 20th position).
A literature review discusses the effect of selected environmental factors on women reproductive system, fetal development and growth. According to recent reports, 2–3% of newborns have congenital malformations. These malformations are caused by interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Exposure of paternal or maternal organisms to environmental hazards may damage germ cells or interfere fetal development, resulting in malformation of various organ systems. Since environmental hazards exposures are complex, it is difficult to establish the primary effect of single factor. Factors, that are known to increase the risk of congenital malformations, preterm delivery or spontaneous abortion, are classified into five groups – psychological, social, biological, physical and chemical factors. The governments of most counties recognize the effect of hazardous environmental factors on public health as global problem. World Health Organization encourages researches, aimed at evaluation of various environmental factors impact on health of pregnant women and their offsprings.
A literature review discusses the effect of selected environmental factors on women reproductive system, fetal development and growth. According to recent reports, 2–3% of newborns have congenital malformations. These malformations are caused by interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Exposure of paternal or maternal organisms to environmental hazards may damage germ cells or interfere fetal development, resulting in malformation of various organ systems. Since environmental hazards exposures are complex, it is difficult to establish the primary effect of single factor. Factors, that are known to increase the risk of congenital malformations, preterm delivery or spontaneous abortion, are classified into five groups – psychological, social, biological, physical and chemical factors. The governments of most counties recognize the effect of hazardous environmental factors on public health as global problem. World Health Organization encourages researches, aimed at evaluation of various environmental factors impact on health of pregnant women and their offsprings.
National drug control policies and strategies are heavily dependent on the international legal framework. International standards set by United Nations drug control conventions serve as basic principles for the development and shape of national drug control systems. International drug control system has its own, a very specific history and dynamics of development in which the United States definitely did play a very important role promoting prohibitionist approach based on the abstinence paradigm. According to this paradigm drug use is acceptable only for scientific and medical purposes. Unsurprisingly, recreational or experimental use of drugs is considered as unacceptable and inevitably leading to addiction. This hard-line approach dominated in public discourse during the 20th century and the drug use was seen either as a sin or as a disease. However, it seems that from the beginning of the 21th century, international drug control regime, ideologically based on the abstinence paradigm, is facing big challenges and it is not entirely clear what to expect in the future. Ironically, the United States is the most important player again, but this time in quite the opposite role. Moralising teetotaller Dr. Jeckyll suddenly turned in a pothead Mr. Hyde. So-called "cannabis capitalism" process in several states of USA, when the sale of recreational cannabis was fully legalised, raised serious questions about the perspectives of international drug control system, because such practice is obviously in breach of the international law. Also it is important to note other signs of moving towards the drug policy with a human face, especially raising the popularity of the harm reduction approach to the drug problem and process of "soft deception' related to that. The latter means that some countries are choosing more tolerant approach theoretically not infringing legal boundaries set by the conventions. Considering the context provided above, the main purpose of this study was to make the analysis of the peculiarities of global drug control system and their interrelation with the national drug control policy in the light of personal drug use. In order to fulfil this goal historical analysis of the development of United Nations global drug control system was made, peculiarities and characteristic features of the legal framework of this system as well as legal boundaries set for countries by the conventions were analysed. Particular attention was paid to the international legal framework regarding personal drug use, different national practises in this perspective as well as possible directions of the future development of global drug control system were discussed. Finally, Lithuanian drug control policy in the context of United Nations drug control regime was discussed. Main research methods were: logical-linguistic, systemic, comparative as well as analysis of documents and secondary data. Moreover, relevant scientific literature, national and international legal acts in the area of drug control were studied. The drug control and drug policy primarily were explored from criminological and sociology of law perspectives. In author's point of view these interdisciplinary social sciences enable to achieve deeper understanding of drug control phenomenon than it is possible to attain using only narrow legalistic analysis of laws and legal norms. According to the findings of the study the drug control policy (national, regional or global) is a complex phenomenon influenced by many cultural, social and other factors as well as different interest groups (physicians, law enforcement agencies, etc.) operating in the drug control field. It is important to stress, that usually legal control has a very limited (if has at all) influence to the prevalence of illicit drug use, which is mostly determined by the culture, social policy and social context. On the other hand, the drug control remedies are significant when dealing with the high-risk/problem drug use. The United Nations conventions set legal boundaries to the countries, but there is a certain room of interpretation. United Nations institutions (especially International Drug Control Board) support the narrow interpretation of the treaties and usually criticise countries (as sending "wrong signals") that are leaning towards less strict drug policies. Accordingly, various harm reduction practises are on the edge of violation of international law but this is a matter of interpretation. The United Nations conventions and European Union documents make a clear distinction between drug dealing and activities attributed to personal use. The drug dealing is always a matter of criminal law; accordingly criminal sanctions should be strict enough. As regards to the personal drug use countries have more flexibility and other measures (administrative sanctions, medical treatment, etc.) could be applied. On the other hand, legal market of substances controlled by the Schedule IV (e.g. cannabis) could not be created at the same time not infringing international law. In the 21th century a gradual weakening of international drug control regime could be observed. The main feature of this phenomenon is a soft deception, which is related to the increasing popularity of the harm reduction doctrine. It goes hand in hand with the decriminalisation and/or the depenalisation of activities related to personal drug use shifting from punitive approach to the more health oriented. The main challenge to the existing global drug control system is de jure legalisation of cannabis in several USA states. It is related to the process of cannabis use "normalisation"; then such practice is not regarded as a pathological behaviour anymore. It is important to stress that this approach contradicts the abstinence paradigm, which is an ideological core of the United Nations conventions. It creates a high tension and the future of international drug control system in existing framework becomes uncertain. In order to maintain the stability of the system in particular and the trust in international law in general, the revision of UN drug control conventions seems to be inevitable. Lithuanian drug control policy is oriented to the strict control measures and prevention. As regards to the personal drug use till 2017 the drug gaining and possession were partially decriminalised because such activities were subject of either criminal or administrative liability. From 2017 onwards such activities are subject of criminal law only without any explanation of this change of law. Therefore, the Lithuanian drug control policy is moving to the opposite direction than in the Western world, i.e. to more strict measures regarding personal use of drugs. In this context, it is important to stress, that criminal law is considered as ultima ratio measure which has multiple side effects, thus criminalisation of certain activity or introduction of criminal sanctions must be strongly grounded. Preferably, not only by arguments, but also by hard empirical data supporting those arguments. It could be concluded, that decriminalisation in the sphere of personal drug use has legal and pragmatic assumptions. Such policy does not violate legal boundaries set by the United Nations conventions and reflects the newest tendencies of how modern drug control policy should look like. Last but not least, it is important to stress, that effective drug control policy should be evidence based. That means that drug policy changes should be supported by science innovations, empirical data, cost-benefit analysis, etc.
National drug control policies and strategies are heavily dependent on the international legal framework. International standards set by United Nations drug control conventions serve as basic principles for the development and shape of national drug control systems. International drug control system has its own, a very specific history and dynamics of development in which the United States definitely did play a very important role promoting prohibitionist approach based on the abstinence paradigm. According to this paradigm drug use is acceptable only for scientific and medical purposes. Unsurprisingly, recreational or experimental use of drugs is considered as unacceptable and inevitably leading to addiction. This hard-line approach dominated in public discourse during the 20th century and the drug use was seen either as a sin or as a disease. However, it seems that from the beginning of the 21th century, international drug control regime, ideologically based on the abstinence paradigm, is facing big challenges and it is not entirely clear what to expect in the future. Ironically, the United States is the most important player again, but this time in quite the opposite role. Moralising teetotaller Dr. Jeckyll suddenly turned in a pothead Mr. Hyde. So-called "cannabis capitalism" process in several states of USA, when the sale of recreational cannabis was fully legalised, raised serious questions about the perspectives of international drug control system, because such practice is obviously in breach of the international law. Also it is important to note other signs of moving towards the drug policy with a human face, especially raising the popularity of the harm reduction approach to the drug problem and process of "soft deception' related to that. The latter means that some countries are choosing more tolerant approach theoretically not infringing legal boundaries set by the conventions. Considering the context provided above, the main purpose of this study was to make the analysis of the peculiarities of global drug control system and their interrelation with the national drug control policy in the light of personal drug use. In order to fulfil this goal historical analysis of the development of United Nations global drug control system was made, peculiarities and characteristic features of the legal framework of this system as well as legal boundaries set for countries by the conventions were analysed. Particular attention was paid to the international legal framework regarding personal drug use, different national practises in this perspective as well as possible directions of the future development of global drug control system were discussed. Finally, Lithuanian drug control policy in the context of United Nations drug control regime was discussed. Main research methods were: logical-linguistic, systemic, comparative as well as analysis of documents and secondary data. Moreover, relevant scientific literature, national and international legal acts in the area of drug control were studied. The drug control and drug policy primarily were explored from criminological and sociology of law perspectives. In author's point of view these interdisciplinary social sciences enable to achieve deeper understanding of drug control phenomenon than it is possible to attain using only narrow legalistic analysis of laws and legal norms. According to the findings of the study the drug control policy (national, regional or global) is a complex phenomenon influenced by many cultural, social and other factors as well as different interest groups (physicians, law enforcement agencies, etc.) operating in the drug control field. It is important to stress, that usually legal control has a very limited (if has at all) influence to the prevalence of illicit drug use, which is mostly determined by the culture, social policy and social context. On the other hand, the drug control remedies are significant when dealing with the high-risk/problem drug use. The United Nations conventions set legal boundaries to the countries, but there is a certain room of interpretation. United Nations institutions (especially International Drug Control Board) support the narrow interpretation of the treaties and usually criticise countries (as sending "wrong signals") that are leaning towards less strict drug policies. Accordingly, various harm reduction practises are on the edge of violation of international law but this is a matter of interpretation. The United Nations conventions and European Union documents make a clear distinction between drug dealing and activities attributed to personal use. The drug dealing is always a matter of criminal law; accordingly criminal sanctions should be strict enough. As regards to the personal drug use countries have more flexibility and other measures (administrative sanctions, medical treatment, etc.) could be applied. On the other hand, legal market of substances controlled by the Schedule IV (e.g. cannabis) could not be created at the same time not infringing international law. In the 21th century a gradual weakening of international drug control regime could be observed. The main feature of this phenomenon is a soft deception, which is related to the increasing popularity of the harm reduction doctrine. It goes hand in hand with the decriminalisation and/or the depenalisation of activities related to personal drug use shifting from punitive approach to the more health oriented. The main challenge to the existing global drug control system is de jure legalisation of cannabis in several USA states. It is related to the process of cannabis use "normalisation"; then such practice is not regarded as a pathological behaviour anymore. It is important to stress that this approach contradicts the abstinence paradigm, which is an ideological core of the United Nations conventions. It creates a high tension and the future of international drug control system in existing framework becomes uncertain. In order to maintain the stability of the system in particular and the trust in international law in general, the revision of UN drug control conventions seems to be inevitable. Lithuanian drug control policy is oriented to the strict control measures and prevention. As regards to the personal drug use till 2017 the drug gaining and possession were partially decriminalised because such activities were subject of either criminal or administrative liability. From 2017 onwards such activities are subject of criminal law only without any explanation of this change of law. Therefore, the Lithuanian drug control policy is moving to the opposite direction than in the Western world, i.e. to more strict measures regarding personal use of drugs. In this context, it is important to stress, that criminal law is considered as ultima ratio measure which has multiple side effects, thus criminalisation of certain activity or introduction of criminal sanctions must be strongly grounded. Preferably, not only by arguments, but also by hard empirical data supporting those arguments. It could be concluded, that decriminalisation in the sphere of personal drug use has legal and pragmatic assumptions. Such policy does not violate legal boundaries set by the United Nations conventions and reflects the newest tendencies of how modern drug control policy should look like. Last but not least, it is important to stress, that effective drug control policy should be evidence based. That means that drug policy changes should be supported by science innovations, empirical data, cost-benefit analysis, etc.
Bilateral relations of Lithuania and Poland have had significant ups and downs since reestablishment of both of their independence after the fall of the Soviet Union. Reasons for these dramatic shifts are colourful and plentiful: ethnic tensions, hot and cold interpersonal relationships of the leaders, joint objective of Euroatlantic integration etc. However, the novel coronavirus pandemic has presented bilateral relations of these two countries with a variable never seen before. Hence, the objective of this Master's thesis research is the impact of COVID-19 pandemic to the strategic partnership of Lithuania and Poland. In this thesis, the object of analysis is theoretically approached from two different angles: in order to explore the effect of the pandemic to strategic partnership of Lithuania in Poland, one must be aware of its historic dynamic and current state. As is pointed out in this thesis, since 2015-2016, bilateral relations are experiencing a period of increased cooperation and more constructive rhetoric, due to new political leadership, common perceived enemy and strategic goals, among various other, less significant reasons. Furthermore, it is vital to grasp the role of International Relations theory in global health, and how the states, according to several classic theories, behave during the pandemic. In this regard, it is concluded, that the theory with the most to offer in explaining states' behaviour during a health crisis is the realist approach. That is precisely the reason why realism is employed as a theoretical basis of the research, which was carried out as a case study, employing qualitative-interpretative method. Taking from the notion of strategic partnership, found in Lithuanian and foreign literature, as well pandemical realism, 4 main qualitative dependent variables were derived: (1) bilateral relationship on a highest political level, as well as attempts to institutionalise them; (2) societal perceptions towards each other; (3) intensive interinstitutional, intersectoral and strategic cooperation; (4) the convergence of strategic goals. In order to achieve the objective, pivotal events were identified, public speaches of the leaders analysed, and various other data sources interpreted and secondary sources analysed. It was concluded that (1) the highest level political bilateral relations, which were, at least quantitavely speaking, on an upward trend, were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic provided an opportunity to cooperate on the highest political level. (2) Societal, in this specific case – expert communities' perception of each other should not and could not be considered good or very good: Lithuanian experts rated Poland's response to the crisis as the poorest in EU27, while Polands experts did not rate Lithuania at all. (3) Although Lithuanian and Polish interinstitutional, intersectional cooperation and strategic infrastructural projects have flowed as per usual so far during the pandemic, however, some opportunities for cooperation were not seized. (4) No new strategic goals of Lithuania and Poland appeared on the agenda, and, by extention, no existing ones were dropped during the pandemic so far. It must be acknowledged, that the pandemic, directly or indirectly, helped widen, deepen and make some of the common strategic objectives more clear. All in all, this Master's thesis concludes that, while several historic "breaking points" of Lithuanain-Polish bilateral relationship, where previously stagnated or outright confrontational relations suddenly were improved and vice-versa, could be identified, however, COVID-19 pandemic so far has not been that. Moreover, as a result of the pandemic, no new strategically incompatible and problematic goals, neither for Lithuania, nor for Poland, were identified. It did, however, spawn a number of opportunities for an even closer cooperation between the two states, but they were not successfully seized.
Bilateral relations of Lithuania and Poland have had significant ups and downs since reestablishment of both of their independence after the fall of the Soviet Union. Reasons for these dramatic shifts are colourful and plentiful: ethnic tensions, hot and cold interpersonal relationships of the leaders, joint objective of Euroatlantic integration etc. However, the novel coronavirus pandemic has presented bilateral relations of these two countries with a variable never seen before. Hence, the objective of this Master's thesis research is the impact of COVID-19 pandemic to the strategic partnership of Lithuania and Poland. In this thesis, the object of analysis is theoretically approached from two different angles: in order to explore the effect of the pandemic to strategic partnership of Lithuania in Poland, one must be aware of its historic dynamic and current state. As is pointed out in this thesis, since 2015-2016, bilateral relations are experiencing a period of increased cooperation and more constructive rhetoric, due to new political leadership, common perceived enemy and strategic goals, among various other, less significant reasons. Furthermore, it is vital to grasp the role of International Relations theory in global health, and how the states, according to several classic theories, behave during the pandemic. In this regard, it is concluded, that the theory with the most to offer in explaining states' behaviour during a health crisis is the realist approach. That is precisely the reason why realism is employed as a theoretical basis of the research, which was carried out as a case study, employing qualitative-interpretative method. Taking from the notion of strategic partnership, found in Lithuanian and foreign literature, as well pandemical realism, 4 main qualitative dependent variables were derived: (1) bilateral relationship on a highest political level, as well as attempts to institutionalise them; (2) societal perceptions towards each other; (3) intensive interinstitutional, intersectoral and strategic cooperation; (4) the convergence of strategic goals. In order to achieve the objective, pivotal events were identified, public speaches of the leaders analysed, and various other data sources interpreted and secondary sources analysed. It was concluded that (1) the highest level political bilateral relations, which were, at least quantitavely speaking, on an upward trend, were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic provided an opportunity to cooperate on the highest political level. (2) Societal, in this specific case – expert communities' perception of each other should not and could not be considered good or very good: Lithuanian experts rated Poland's response to the crisis as the poorest in EU27, while Polands experts did not rate Lithuania at all. (3) Although Lithuanian and Polish interinstitutional, intersectional cooperation and strategic infrastructural projects have flowed as per usual so far during the pandemic, however, some opportunities for cooperation were not seized. (4) No new strategic goals of Lithuania and Poland appeared on the agenda, and, by extention, no existing ones were dropped during the pandemic so far. It must be acknowledged, that the pandemic, directly or indirectly, helped widen, deepen and make some of the common strategic objectives more clear. All in all, this Master's thesis concludes that, while several historic "breaking points" of Lithuanain-Polish bilateral relationship, where previously stagnated or outright confrontational relations suddenly were improved and vice-versa, could be identified, however, COVID-19 pandemic so far has not been that. Moreover, as a result of the pandemic, no new strategically incompatible and problematic goals, neither for Lithuania, nor for Poland, were identified. It did, however, spawn a number of opportunities for an even closer cooperation between the two states, but they were not successfully seized.
Bilateral relations of Lithuania and Poland have had significant ups and downs since reestablishment of both of their independence after the fall of the Soviet Union. Reasons for these dramatic shifts are colourful and plentiful: ethnic tensions, hot and cold interpersonal relationships of the leaders, joint objective of Euroatlantic integration etc. However, the novel coronavirus pandemic has presented bilateral relations of these two countries with a variable never seen before. Hence, the objective of this Master's thesis research is the impact of COVID-19 pandemic to the strategic partnership of Lithuania and Poland. In this thesis, the object of analysis is theoretically approached from two different angles: in order to explore the effect of the pandemic to strategic partnership of Lithuania in Poland, one must be aware of its historic dynamic and current state. As is pointed out in this thesis, since 2015-2016, bilateral relations are experiencing a period of increased cooperation and more constructive rhetoric, due to new political leadership, common perceived enemy and strategic goals, among various other, less significant reasons. Furthermore, it is vital to grasp the role of International Relations theory in global health, and how the states, according to several classic theories, behave during the pandemic. In this regard, it is concluded, that the theory with the most to offer in explaining states' behaviour during a health crisis is the realist approach. That is precisely the reason why realism is employed as a theoretical basis of the research, which was carried out as a case study, employing qualitative-interpretative method. Taking from the notion of strategic partnership, found in Lithuanian and foreign literature, as well pandemical realism, 4 main qualitative dependent variables were derived: (1) bilateral relationship on a highest political level, as well as attempts to institutionalise them; (2) societal perceptions towards each other; (3) intensive interinstitutional, intersectoral and strategic cooperation; (4) the convergence of strategic goals. In order to achieve the objective, pivotal events were identified, public speaches of the leaders analysed, and various other data sources interpreted and secondary sources analysed. It was concluded that (1) the highest level political bilateral relations, which were, at least quantitavely speaking, on an upward trend, were not significantly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic provided an opportunity to cooperate on the highest political level. (2) Societal, in this specific case – expert communities' perception of each other should not and could not be considered good or very good: Lithuanian experts rated Poland's response to the crisis as the poorest in EU27, while Polands experts did not rate Lithuania at all. (3) Although Lithuanian and Polish interinstitutional, intersectional cooperation and strategic infrastructural projects have flowed as per usual so far during the pandemic, however, some opportunities for cooperation were not seized. (4) No new strategic goals of Lithuania and Poland appeared on the agenda, and, by extention, no existing ones were dropped during the pandemic so far. It must be acknowledged, that the pandemic, directly or indirectly, helped widen, deepen and make some of the common strategic objectives more clear. All in all, this Master's thesis concludes that, while several historic "breaking points" of Lithuanain-Polish bilateral relationship, where previously stagnated or outright confrontational relations suddenly were improved and vice-versa, could be identified, however, COVID-19 pandemic so far has not been that. Moreover, as a result of the pandemic, no new strategically incompatible and problematic goals, neither for Lithuania, nor for Poland, were identified. It did, however, spawn a number of opportunities for an even closer cooperation between the two states, but they were not successfully seized.