Shevchenko A. The main principals and guidelines of the foreign policy of Sweden

The thesis is devoted to the political analysis of the foreign policy of Sweden. The author has summarized the theoretical and methodological principles of foreign policy of the Kingdom of Sweden in the international system of the post-bipolar era. It has analyzed key approaches of Sweden's politicians to consolidate European integration processes and it has found that regional transformation that affected into the format of the international status of the country and its foreign policy. It was grounded the research on policy of neutrality in Sweden and its international relations. It was proved that joining the military-political blocs and the refusal of military assistance conflicting states led instead an effective participation of Sweden in a joint security policy of the EU priorities. It was studied Sweden's national interests in ensuring EU common foreign policy. It was empathized on a modern security doctrine and security model of the Swedish policy. It was declared Sweden's approach to transatlantic cooperation. It was used a conceptual approach (author's variant) for resembling the structure of bilateral Swedish-Ukrainian cooperation in the political and economic spheres. It was pointed out to importance of the basic principles of the foreign policy of both countries in international relations. The bipolar era has pushed Scandinavian countries to the self-organization which formed into the negotiation body, the Nordic Council. It was contributed to more closer coordination of regional cooperation between Nordic countries' parliaments and governments, the formation of the Baltic regional initiative. The founder of latter was Sweden. In addition, the strategic directions of foreign policy of Sweden were determined strengthening relations with the EU, supporting programs of European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, deepening cooperation with the Arctic Council, preventing the armed conflicts, providing security and human rights, helping to countries of the third world. The principle of Swedish neutrality, military non-alignment and refusing to participate in military operations are the important instrument for the foreign policy and national security of the state implementation.