Foreign policy of Poland and the Czech Republic, 1989-2009 – comparison of main goals

Mgr. Urszula Solak

Master's thesis

Abstract:

From the end of the World War II, Poland and Czech Republic have gone through similar historical experiences. They both became a part of communist block, than gained back their independence after 1989 breakthrough, and undergone political, social and cultural transformation. Since that moment both countries have been sharing same foreign policy goals. Together with Hungary and Slovakia they became founding members of Visegrad Group, applied for the NATO and the EU membership. They both also led complicated negotiations with the United States over the highly controversial antimissile defense project. Nevertheless when came to analysis of mutual Polish-Czech relations during the integration process there seemed to be a research gap. Therefore I find comparison of Polish and Czech foreign policy after 1989 a highly interested issue to examine. The aim of my work was to give an insight into foreign agenda which both countries have developed during last 20 years under newly developed democratic state’s structures. How they managed to deal with communist heritage and respond to the challenges of a free open world? What foreign policy strategies they decided to apply being no longer part of Soviet Block - have they been compatible with each other or divergent? What were the main challenges for Poland and the Czech Republic on their way to the full transatlantic and European integration?

Keywords

Czech Republic, Poland, foreign policy, democratic transition, Visegrad Group, NATO, European integration, Transatlantic cooperation

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 6. 12. 2010

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 4. 1. 2011
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Břetislav Dančák, Ph.D.
• Reader: prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Political Science / European Politics (Eng.)