Fedunyak S. Political Dimension of Security System of Euro-Atlantic Space and Newly Independent States.

This thesis is concentrated on the study of political aspects of the formation of integrated security system of the Euro-Atlantic space and the Newly Independent States. It is for the first time in Ukrainian Political Science, security processes in Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian areas are considered in close mutual connections as well as in the context of global challenges and threats. An important place is taken by the process of civilization consolidation that means integration of Newly Independent States and Western countries through the creation of integrated security system that consists of Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian sub-systems. Thesis analyses conceptual approaches to the creation and activity of integrated security system as well as the place of leading security institutions and the most influential states in this process. The role of Ukraine as an important element of security system was defined. Scenarios for short and medium-term perspectives of the integrated security system based on the possible changes of its structure are proposed.Analysis of theoretic basis for creation and functioning of the security system after the end of the cold war shows that civilization concept, neo-functional and normative theories are the most adequate approaches. Western political elite is using combination of all approaches, simultaneously trying to satisfy their own geo-political interests, to ensure of stability, and to promote liberal values. Integrated system that appears under the influence of global political processes consists of two segments - sub-systems: Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian ones. The former contains EU-NATO member-states and the latter - post-soviet states of Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Both segments were former independently from each other under the impact of general trends of international system and specifics of the region.Euro-Atlantic institutions (NATO, EU and OSCE) are playing a leading role in the creation of integrated security system. They are adapting to new security environmentcreating conceptual basis and mechanisms of interaction of two segments. Security structures on the post-soviet states (GUAM, OSCS) have made a substantial contribution to the formation of integrated system by promoting of minimal level of security and stability as well as preventing inter-ethnic and inter-state conflicts.USA and Russia have become leaders of Euro-Atlantic and Euro-Asian sub-systems in the conditions of the rise of global challenges and threats. This new environment has increased the importance of power factors in the ensuring of security and stimulated hegemony of the above-mentioned states at the regional and global levels.Ukraine is taking a unique place of bridge country simultaneously being a western segment of NIS and integrating to Euro-Atlantic institutions. This status not only gives benefits but also increases the influence of contradictory processes on our young state. Ukraine remains an important element of stability and security in Eurasia especially in Northern Black Sea regionandTranscaucasian. Potentially it could play significant role in settlement of Trans-Dnistrian and Abkhazian conflict as a mediator and а peacekeeper. Also Ukraine can increase its activity in regional organization such as GUAM.Current global and regional trends in security spheres leave the room for two most realistic scenarios of the formation and development of integrated system during the next ten-fifteen years.1.Preservation of the currant institutional security structure through the increase of the quality of cooperation at the basis of existing institutions. Cooperation between NATO and its partners based on PfP and its modifications will be strengthened. Institutional preconditions for the inclusion of post-soviet states into the EU security will be created. Existing US and Russian influence on the formation of integrated system will not be changed.2. Change of institutional security structure. Some Newly Independent States (Ukraine, Moldova) will join NATO and EU. The US role will be activated. Institutional base for permanent Russia's involvement into common Western security and defense policies will be formed. Some new institutions including countries outside of Euro-Atlantic space and Newly Independent states region will appear.