Формирование политики безопасности Норвегии и Швеции в 1990-е гг.

Abstract

The Security Policy of Norway and Sweden in the 1990s was shaped taking into consideration the specific features of the region. A number of peculiarities of the two countries influenced the development of the security policy in the region. The comparative periphery of the geographical situation and small population defined the role of Norway and Sweden as subregional states depriving them of the possibility to have a considerable influence in the European affairs. The necessity to defend the sea boundaries and communications as well as the sea shelf oil deposits determined the need of strong Atlantic ties for Norway. During the "cold war" the special role of the country in NATO was defined as the northern outpost of the Alliance. After World War II the unique place in the international relations system was also taken by Sweden who established strong ties with both the western and eastern blocs. Special note should be taken of the public opinion in the Scandinavian countries, which is of conservative character on the one hand and is of great influence in shaping policy, on the other. This conservation is also inherent in the attitude to European integration, which has a lot of opponents in the region. This is partly compensated by the developing Scandinavian integration. The export orientation of Swedish and Norwegian economies compels them to seek active interaction with other countries. With the balance of forces in Europe changing after the socialist countries bloc collapsed, both Norway and Sweden had to amend their former policies. Adapting to the changing realities has become a priority. These realities include the transformation of the NATO which entailed losing the special status of the northern outpost by Norway, the loss of the role of an intermediary by Sweden, the change of the character of perceived threats from Russia and development of their own security core by European countries. As far as the cooperation with the European Union on the general security issues is concerned, the key problem for Norway and Sweden is the dilemma of participation in joint decisions development which would involve the loss of some of their identity. Whereas in case they abstain and retain neutrality, these countries would be destined to play minor political roles on the continent. Despite strong domestic opposition Sweden has adopted the general European line in this area. As a EU member from 1995 the country had the possibility to share in the decision-making process and has advanced a number of initiatives on strengthening the security core in the framework of the EU. Norway which was traditionally oriented towards Atlantic ties and the NATO, for a long time was not inclined to change its priorities. Energy resources and NATO membership lessened the risk of becoming a periphery. It was only at the end of the decade that a change in the status of the state in the NATO and the success of the European countries in creation their own security structures. Nevertheless, the country has not quite escaped the risk of marginalization, which dictated this change of policy in the end of the 1990s.