This work is a comprehensive analysis of the peculiarities of the interaction of civil society and state authorities in the context of European integration commitments, revealing the peculiarities of the impact of this interaction on the formation and implementation of national security policy priorities.
The evolution of Ukraine's integration processes with the EU in the context of ensuring the interests of society and the state in general is traced throughout the work, which theoretically and methodologically substantiates Ukraine's foreign policy choice: for example, the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU corresponds to security principles as established by political science theories. From the standpoint of neorealism, on the one hand, signing is an effective step for the country to ensure its national security in a changing geopolitical situation. From the standpoint of neoliberalism, on the other hand, the Agreement is also a positive factor due to the launch of security mechanisms, such as the development of democratic institutions, and the intensification of interaction between society and the state.
The Association Agreement is also a wise choice as seen in the context of social constructivism: first, Ukraine’s European choice was initiated primarily by civil society. Secondly, thanks to the implementation of the Agreement, Ukraine is gradually integrating with European institutions, thus strengthening national security. And given the gradual enlargement of the EU to the East, the claims of neorealists about the impossibility of political integration of states with different levels of socio-economic potential are unfounded.
It demonstrates that Ukraine's European integration and its level of national security depend primarily on social stability. This stability can be ensured by partnership between civil society and public authorities. However, such a state is possible only in the presence of several factors that characterize society as civil and the government as democratic. These include: the level of political consciousness, adherence to universal values, attention to social challenges, the desire for cohesion and a shared goal.
In this thesis, it is determined that civil society is a community of citizens with a high level of social competency, which through their organizations implement the implementation of their political will regarding national development and security on the principles of partnership and dialogue with state authorities.
The means by which interaction between civil society organizations (CSOs) and state authorities are also revealed. The correlation between them is regulated by the relevant legislation. This can be divided into two categories; first into domestic legislative initiatives that determine the status of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as their forms of cooperation with (and mechanisms of oversight on) government. Second are international initiatives that contribute to Ukraine's integration and thus, as previously demonstrated, national security – through the intensification of the activities of public organizations in the adoption of state policies and decisions. These include, first and foremost, the Open Government Partnership Initiative. Although Ukraine joined it long before the ratification of the Association Agreement, its goals are fully in line with Ukraine's European integration course set out in the Agreement, and the implementation of both international instruments has a synergistic effect.
The most effective democratic initiatives implemented through partnership activities of CSOs and state authorities have been identified. These include, first of all, the tools of e-democracy, which contribute to the adaptation of the administrative and social system of Ukraine to that of Europe.Recommendations are provided to improve the interaction between CSOs and public authorities in order to accelerate European integration reforms in the context of national security. Thus, the mechanisms of interaction between public organizations and government agencies do not yet meet their expected potential. Although there are many main problems that need to be addressed, the priorities are: a) improving the regulatory framework for the activities of advisory bodies; b) introducing and broadening civic education; c) developing a clear mechanism for submitting and processing e-petitions and conducting e-consultations, taking into account the public's ability to monitor (and participate in) all stages of policy-making; d) expansion of the participation of NGOs and coalitions in legislative activities, taking into account the necessary expenditures in the state budget.
Keywords: Аssосіаtіоn Аgrееmеnt, civil society, public authorities, coalition, national security, European integration, open government, e-democracy.
