Белорусско-балтийские отношения в региональном контексте

Abstract

The question of regional security and cooperation is particularly important for the Republic of Belarus because of the changing regional geopolitical environment. First of all, it is connected with the country's neighbours, the Lithuanian and Latvian Republics joining the NATO and the EU. Different positions concerning the European security in the 21st century and the priorities of foreign policy of Belarus and the Baltic states, the NATO and the EU enlargement and the changes, connected with these processes can cause some tension and instability in bilateral Belarusian-Baltic relations. The Belarusian-Baltic relations are investigated in the article in the context of regional security and cooperation. The influence of a range of external and internal factors on the development of these relations is shown. Some problems connected with Lithuania and Latvia joining the EU are considered. The author examines the structures of regional cooperation with Belarus and Baltic states' participation, including the euroregions "Neman", "The Lake Land" and also the possibilities of the cooperation within the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.