Im Zuge des Beitrittsprozesses zur EU entwickelte Polen sein Konzept der ‚Eastern Dimension’. Der ehemalige polnische Außenminister Bronisław Geremek erklärte bei der Eröffnung der Beitrittsverhandlungen im Jahre 1998 zum ersten Mal den Wunsch einer gemeinsamen europäischen Ostpolitik. Bisher wurde dieser Vorschlag Polens nicht (bzw. nur in Bruchstücken) umgesetzt, alle polnischen Regierungen bis heute benennen die Implementierung einer ‚Eastern Dimension’ als Ziel der eigenen Außenpolitik.
Auch die EU erkannte die Notwendigkeit, eine gemeinsame Politik für die neuen Nachbarn zu entwickeln. Der Rat der Europäischen Union beratschlagte im April 2002 zum ersten Mal über ‚Wider Europe’ und die Beziehungen der erweiterten EU zu den östlichen Nachbarn. In den folgenden Ratssitzungen wurde das Thema vertieft, allerdings wurde spätestens beim Europäischen Rat in Kopenhagen im Dezember 2002 klar, dass eine gemeinsame Europäische Nachbarschaftspolitk (ENP) für alle Nachbarländer der EU entwickelt werden sollte, die neue Politik sollte neben den osteuropäischen Staaten also auch die Länder des Mittelmeerraumes und zusätzlich die Kaukasus-Staaten umfassen.
In meiner Master-Arbeit mit dem Titel „Poland’s role in the development of an ‚Eastern Dimension’ of the European Union“ bin ich der Frage nachgegangen, wieso der polnische Vorschlag nicht umgesetzt wurde. Welche Interessensunterschiede oder Umstände führten dazu, dass keine neue Regionalpolitik für die östlichen Anrainerstaaten definiert wurde? Durch einen Vergleich der zentralen Dokumente der ‚Eastern Dimension’ und der ENP konnte ich die wesentlichen Unterschiede dieser beiden Politiken analysieren. Wichtig war natürlich auch der derzeitige Stand der Beziehungen zwischen der EU und den östlichen Nachbarn. Die Teilnahme der Ukraine und Belarus in der ENP ist vorgesehen, bisher ist allerdings erst die Ukraine in die Gemeinschaftspolitik integriert. Die Teilnahme von Belarus in der ENP kann erst erfolgen, wenn demokratische Reformen durchgeführt werden. Die bilateralen Beziehungen zwischen Russland und der EU stellen sich als schwierig dar, Russland lehnt es ab im Rahmen der ENP mit der EU zu kooperieren.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. The ‘Eastern Dimension’ of the European Union
1.2. Problem
1.3. Structure
2. Explaining Poland’s role with theoretical concepts
2.1. Intergovernmentalism
2.2. Supranationalism
2.3. Intergovernmentalism vs. Supranationalism
3. Poland’s foreign policy after 1989
3.1. Principles of Poland’s foreign policy
3.2. Poland’s Eastern Policy
3.3. Eastern policy and regional cooperations
4. Poland and its Eastern neighbours
4.1. Ukraine
4.1.1. 1991 to 1994: Polite declarations and mutual commitments
4.1.2. 1994 to 1998 Poland’s integration in the Western structures
4.1.3. 1998 to 2004: Poland’s way in the EU
4.1.4. From 2004: The ‘Orange Revolution’ and beyond
4.2. Belarus
4.2.1. 1991 to 1994: Belarus’ decline under independence
4.2.2. 1994 to 1996: The begin of Aleksander Lukashenko’s presidency
4.2.3. 1996 to 2001: International isolation
4.2.4. From 2001: Belarus as the last dictatorship in Europe
4.3. Russia
4.3.1. 1989 to 1994: Poland’s Russia-centered policy
4.3.2. 1994 to 1999: Russian vs. Polish interests
4.3.3. 1999 to 2004: Slight normalisation of the relations
4.3.4. From 2004: Poland as a member of the EU
5. Poland and European foreign policy
5.1. From an Eastern policy to a ‘Wider Europe’
5.1.1. Poland’s contribution to the European Neighbourhood Policy
5.1.2. ‘Eastern Dimension’ vs. ENP: similarities and differences
5.1.3. The ENP in practice
5.1.4. Countries included in the ENP
5.1.4.1. Ukraine
5.1.4.2. Belarus
5.2. The EU and Russia
5.2.1. Russia and the ENP
5.2.2. Poland, Russia and the EU
5.3. ‘Eastern Dimension’, ENP and theoretical concepts
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This master's thesis examines Poland's role in shaping the European Union's foreign policy toward its Eastern neighbours. It specifically investigates the divergence between Poland's proposed "Eastern Dimension" and the actual European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) adopted by the EU, analyzing the extent to which Polish interests were integrated into the European framework.
- Theoretical analysis of Intergovernmentalism versus Supranationalism in EU foreign policy formation.
- Evaluation of Poland's foreign policy principles and regional cooperation efforts after 1989.
- In-depth study of bilateral relations between Poland and its Eastern neighbours: Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
- Comparison of Polish proposals for an "Eastern Dimension" with the implemented ENP.
Auszug aus dem Buch
1.1. The ‘Eastern Dimension’ of the European Union
Poland’s accession into the European Union (EU) in May 2004 changed the geopolitical situation of the country fundamentally. Poland moved from an “outsider” to an “insider” and changed its location from being at the EU-external border to a country with an external border toward the Eastern European states. The countries at Poland’s Eastern borders became as well the Eastern neighbours of the European Union after 1 May 2004.
The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1989/1991 was the starting point for a new and self-determined foreign policy. The strategic objectives of Poland’s foreign policy for the following years were clear. The most important aims were the NATO-accession, which was seen as the highest priority for Poland’s security, and the EU-accession, which should secure Poland’s return into the “European mainstream”. A subordinated objective was the establishment of an effective and coherent policy toward Poland’s Eastern neighbours.
Poland’s Eastern policy in the first years concentrated on consolidating sovereignty and independence of the former Soviet republics Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus and on good relations to the former Soviet centre Russia. With all of the Eastern neighbours Poland reached a status of good-neighbourly and friendly relations. But the bilateral relations in the following years developed unequally. Today Ukraine is Poland’s most important and closest Eastern neighbour. The bilateral relations are defined as a “strategic partnership”. Poland imposed, like all EU states, sanctions on Belarus and does not have contacts with the Belarusian government on a high political level. Russia is a difficult partner. The country sees itself on a higher level and often treats Poland with disrespect.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the geopolitical shifts for Poland after EU accession, defines the problem of establishing an Eastern policy, and provides an overview of the thesis structure.
2. Explaining Poland’s role with theoretical concepts: Discusses the theoretical frameworks of Intergovernmentalism and Supranationalism to analyze how national interests interact with European decision-making processes.
3. Poland’s foreign policy after 1989: Details the principles of Polish foreign policy, the evolution of its Eastern strategy, and participation in various regional groupings.
4. Poland and its Eastern neighbours: Provides a detailed analysis of Poland's bilateral relations with Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, highlighting the differing challenges with each country.
5. Poland and European foreign policy: Compares the development of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with Poland's specific "Eastern Dimension" proposal and assesses Poland's influence on the process.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings regarding Poland’s impact on EU Eastern policy and provides an outlook for future developments.
Keywords
Poland, European Union, Eastern Dimension, European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), Foreign Policy, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Intergovernmentalism, Supranationalism, Regional Cooperation, EU Enlargement, Geopolitics, Strategic Partnership, Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The thesis explores Poland's role and influence in developing an "Eastern Dimension" of European Union foreign policy and analyzes its relationship with the officially implemented European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
What are the primary themes analyzed?
The work covers Poland's post-1989 foreign policy, theoretical approaches to integration (Intergovernmentalism vs. Supranationalism), regional cooperation efforts, and the specific bilateral relations with Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
What is the main objective of the research?
The study aims to understand why the Polish proposal for an "Eastern Dimension" was not fully realized and whether the ENP framework is sufficient to meet Poland's strategic policy goals regarding its Eastern neighbors.
Which scientific method is applied in this work?
The thesis uses a qualitative analysis approach, contrasting theoretical concepts of European integration with empirical developments in EU foreign policy and examining specific policy documents and proposals.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the thesis?
The main sections cover the historical context of Poland's foreign policy, detailed breakdowns of relations with Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, and a critical, document-based comparison between Polish non-papers and EU strategy papers.
How are the key terms of the thesis defined?
The key terms include "Eastern Dimension" (Poland's regional proposal) and "European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)" (the EU's broader common framework), alongside political theories like Intergovernmentalism and Supranationalism.
How does the author evaluate the "Eastern Dimension" versus the ENP?
The author argues that while they share common principles, they follow different geographical scopes and approaches to membership, with the "Eastern Dimension" being more regional and demand-driven compared to the broader, assistance-oriented ENP.
What is the significance of the "Orange Revolution" in this context?
The "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine is highlighted as a critical juncture where Poland played a significant role as an advocate for Ukraine, testing the effectiveness and limits of the EU's common engagement strategies.
- Quote paper
- Andreas Lorek (Author), 2006, Poland's role in the development of an 'Eastern Dimension' of the European Union, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/65894
