A Security Community Poland and Her Visegrad Allies: the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia A Security Community Poland and Her Visegrad Allies: the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia Wojciech Gizicki Lublin 2013 Reviewers Dr hab. inż. Andrzej Glen, prof. AON Prof. Ing. Pavel Nečas, PhD Proofreading Jan Kobyłecki Cover design and technical editorship Jakub Gondek © Copyright by Wojciech Gizicki and Catholic University of Lublin Publishing House Lublin 2013 ISBN 978-83-7702-727-1 Catholic University of Lublin Publishing House ul. Zbożowa 61, 20-827 Lublin e-mail:
[email protected] www.kul.pl Printed by Elpil www.elpil.com.pl CONTENTS INTRODUCTION _____________________________ 7 Part 1. THE GEOPOLITICS OF CENTRAL EUROPE _______________________ 25 Part 2. THE FOUNDATIONS OF VISEGRÁD COOPERATION ________________ 43 Part 3. THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS __________________ 61 Part 4. SECURITY DILEMMAS _______________________ 85 Part 5. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL POLITICS _________ 105 Part 6. MILITARY AND DEFENSE POLICIES ____________ 131 Part 7. THE ECONOMIC POLICY _____________________ 159 CONCLUSION _______________________________ 175 BIBLIOGRAPHY _____________________________ 181 ABSTRACTS IN THE NATIONAL LANGUAGES ______________________ 215 INTRODUCTION The success of actions in relation to security policy depends on numerous factors. The approach and involve- ment of particular participants taking part in internatio- nal relations creates practical solutions, and determines the shape and quality of this policy. No matter how diffe- rent the extent, range, possibilities, intentions, and time of this involvement, it is clear that without the participation of countries and international organizations, it is impos- sible to effectively engage in specific solutions. Particular countries play a vital role in influencing the quality of se- curity both at a global and regional level.