The Importance Of Cooperation Between The Countries Of The Lublin Triangle For Ensuring Stability And Security In Europe

Abstract

The Lublin Triangle Initiative, which is one of many new formats of regional cooperation (reflecting the ever-evolving process of regionalisation of international relations), has both symbolic and practical significance. The individual emphases, however, are distributed differently in the case of the three states that make up the Triangle - and, moreover, quite differently from the point of view of Belarus. The important symbolic significance of this format stems from the common historical and cultural heritage. In practical terms, an important factor determining the creation of the Triangle is a common awareness of the threat from Russia (this threat is also part of the historical heritage of the region), as well as common interests. The purpose of the study is to examine the peculiarities of implementation and historical retrospective of cooperation between the countries of the Lublin Triangle in the context of ensuring stability and security in Europe. The purpose of creating regional institutions is not only to promote cooperation and increase trust between partners in the region, but also to build the international position of both the region and its member states - this also applies to the Lublin Triangle. The international situation (Russian aggression) has increased interest in the Central European region and objectively increased its importance in international relations. Emerging regional cooperation initiatives should, by complementing each other and creating synergies, strengthen this regional subjectivity. Cooperation between the countries of the Lublin Triangle (Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania) is of great importance for ensuring stability and security in Europe for the following reasons: geopolitical importance (the Lublin Triangle countries are located on the eastern flank of NATO and the EU, making them a buffer between Europe and potential threats from the East. Poland and Lithuania are among the biggest supporters of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, providing military, financial and humanitarian assistance); military cooperation; economic cooperation; and political cooperation.