Lukianova I. Foreign policy strategy of the Kingdom of Norway

The dissertation is devoted to the research of theoretical and methodological aspects of the foreign policy strategy of Norway. The power of a state and its ability to pursue its goals in the international arena stems from the understanding of its role in international environment and, consequently, finding a balance between national interests and the possibility of their ensuring taking into consideration comparative advantages which contributes to enhancement of its status. In this context analysis of specific characteristics of Norway‘s foreign policy strategy is of particular interest as it can be considered as an attempt to understand how not great powers can play disproportionally important role in certain spheres of world politics through gaining recognition as an influential actor in international affairs. The foreign policy strategy of Norway has at its core striving for status of middle power and the will to assert itself as an important player for which it focuses on the European, Euro-Atlantic and Nordic dimensions as well as forging the image of a "good state". The thesis concentrates on the complex analysis of Norway‘s approach to forming foreign policy strategy, strategic documents on implementation of key foreign policy vectors and main stages of evolvement of Norwegian discourse concerning their realization.