Η Βουλγαρία στο κλείσιμο του αιώνα : επιλογές και προοπτικές της εξωτερικής και αμυντικής πολιτικής της
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Abstract
The period which began in 1989 with the revolutionary changes in the political and economic system of the East European countries is still, seven
years later, as unstable as ever. Bulgaria offers a stark picture of the successive
shifts that have taken place during this time of transition. The main feature of
Bulgaria’s foreign-policy choices is still the pursuit of priorities and outlets into
a new international environment whose constituent elements are a world
superpower and the uncertainty hovering over both European unification and
the living space covered by the once mighty USSR. At the end of this century of technological revolution and major economic
factors, and in this difficult period of transition following the Yugoslav crisis,
what Bulgaria wants, regardless of the specific historical and political factors
that govern its approach to Balkan issues, is that the conciliatory efforts to
resolve differences should be stepped up, democracy should be consolidated in
the Balkans, the positive results of its bilateral relations should be generalised,
and infrastructures should be developed to facilitate the geographical, economic,
and political interlinking of the Balkans with central and eastern Europe. Bulgaria’s natural channel to the centres where decisions are shaped and
influenced on the continent of Europe passes through central Europe, but also
through the Black Sea. The new firm choice in Bulgarian foreign policy is
inspired by a European perspective. Bulgaria will continue to make the
European Union aware of its role as both bridge and corridor to the geopolitical
and geo-economic region of the Balkans and the Black Sea. Bulgaria is not only
compelled to adapt to the harsh demands of competition in its economic policy,
but it must also seek effective options both in its foreign policy and in a policy
of security. The best option open to the politicians in Bulgaria seems to be to
strengthen the policy of closer ties with the European Union.
years later, as unstable as ever. Bulgaria offers a stark picture of the successive
shifts that have taken place during this time of transition. The main feature of
Bulgaria’s foreign-policy choices is still the pursuit of priorities and outlets into
a new international environment whose constituent elements are a world
superpower and the uncertainty hovering over both European unification and
the living space covered by the once mighty USSR. At the end of this century of technological revolution and major economic
factors, and in this difficult period of transition following the Yugoslav crisis,
what Bulgaria wants, regardless of the specific historical and political factors
that govern its approach to Balkan issues, is that the conciliatory efforts to
resolve differences should be stepped up, democracy should be consolidated in
the Balkans, the positive results of its bilateral relations should be generalised,
and infrastructures should be developed to facilitate the geographical, economic,
and political interlinking of the Balkans with central and eastern Europe. Bulgaria’s natural channel to the centres where decisions are shaped and
influenced on the continent of Europe passes through central Europe, but also
through the Black Sea. The new firm choice in Bulgarian foreign policy is
inspired by a European perspective. Bulgaria will continue to make the
European Union aware of its role as both bridge and corridor to the geopolitical
and geo-economic region of the Balkans and the Black Sea. Bulgaria is not only
compelled to adapt to the harsh demands of competition in its economic policy,
but it must also seek effective options both in its foreign policy and in a policy
of security. The best option open to the politicians in Bulgaria seems to be to
strengthen the policy of closer ties with the European Union.
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