SECURITY ALLIANCES OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Dorosh Lesia , Lemko Yuliia ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: November 2024

In light of the changes in the international order that are prompting transformations in the security priorities of international actors, the search for new allies in the fields of security and defense is becoming increasingly relevant. This brings attention to the security initiatives of individual European states beyond the framework of the European Union – both in bilateral and/or multilateral formats and involving “third” countries. It concerns the creation of a dense network of defense interactions of varying intensity and depth among European states and its intensification. The aim of this article is to clarify the formats of defense cooperation among European states outside the EU, highlighting their characteristics, types, and prospects. To achieve the research outcomes, primarily systemic and historical methodological approaches were employed, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the specifics of defense initiatives outside the EU. These methods enabled the tracing of the dynamics of defense projects (agreements), considering their priority status, as well as identifying a set of interrelated factors that influence the transformation of security priorities among European states. The analysis details three types of defense initiatives in Europe: a) Defense agreements for comprehensive and far-reaching integration of operational and industrial sectors among the countries that sign the agreements. Examples include the Franco-Greek Security Agreement and the Franco-Spanish "Friendship" Agreement, as well as treaties like the Aachen Treaty between France and Germany and the Quirinal Treaty between France and Italy, b) Agreements with specific military or industrial focus. These initiatives are centered around particular military capabilities or projects, such as the Belgian-Luxembourg Intelligence Battalion, the Belgian-Luxembourg Bi-national Air Transport Group, BeNeSam, the Benelux Air Defense, NORDEFCO (Nordic Defense Cooperation), EUROCORPS, the European Air Transport Command, EUROMARFOR, the European "Sky Shield" Initiative, and motorized capabilities, c) Agreements, including "Protocols of Intent" and arangements, with potential that has yet to be realized. This includes the Quadrilateral Initiative, the European Intervention Initiative, Central European Defense Cooperation, the Lublin Triangle, and the 5+5 Security Initiative.These initiatives illustrate the varied approaches to defense cooperation in Europe, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing new security challenges. It has been determined that the participants in these allied projects generally overlap, but each partnership has distinct characteristics, foundations, and emerging factors (for example, geographic proximity, similar strategic cultures, and/or shared technological or industrial interests). It has been proven that European countries actively interacting within the EU are also developing other, more specific multi- and minilateral cooperation formats that define their common approaches to defense and security. Notably, France is the undisputed leader in intergovernmental defense cooperation through bilateral and multilateral initiatives outside of the EU. Alongside France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Greece form the core of any future defense integration in Europe.The purpose of this article is to clarify the forms of defense cooperation among European states outside the institutional frameworks of the EU, highlighting the features, types, and prospects of such defense initiatives. Research methodology: To achieve the research results, a systematic and historical methodological approach was primarily applied, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the specifics of defense initiatives by EU members beyond its institutional boundaries. This approach enabled tracking the dynamics of the introduction and implementation of their defense projects and agreements, including their prioritization, and identifying the interconnected factors influencing the transformation of security priorities among European States [6]. Research results: researchers identify three types of defense initiatives:1. Clear long-term defense agreements: these agreements aim to comprehensively unite both the operational and industrial sectors of the signing states. 2. Military and/or industrial agreements.3. Agreements whose potential has not yet been realized. Value.Due to the latest interrelated threats and risks, in particular, general disintegration trends, we can observe an increase in instability, uncertainty in the field of security and defense in the European region and at the global level, and, on the contrary, the search for new determinants of reliable international cooperation and the creation of sustainable international associations. Therefore, (supra)national efforts will be complemented by overcoming (reducing) security threats.