Exporting Idealism? Prospects for Baltic Sear Region Collaboration After Expansion

Vykstant 2004 m. dvigubai NATO ir ES plėtrai Baltijos valstybėse pereinamasis procesas po šaltojo karo Baltijos jūros regione eina į pabaigą. Straipsnyje teigiama, kad dėl to ne tik kyla klausimų, bet gali pasikeisti bendradarbiavimo šiame regione pobūdis. Tvirtinama, kad 1990-aisiais svarbiausias akstinas bendradarbiauti buvo idealizmas ir saugumas, o bendradarbiavimo regione konceptualizacija, kaip identiteto ir savitumo kūrimo projektas, – vienas iš svarbiausių elementų. Pasibaigus pereinamajam procesui, pagrindiniai šio politinio projekto motyvai nebėra tokie svarbūs ir dėl to idealistinį regioninio bendradarbiavimo pobūdį keičia labiau pragmatiški, funkcionalūs ir savanaudiški aspektai. Tačiau tvirtinama, kad nors šalių idealizmas, solidarumas ir internacionalizmas mažėja, tačiau visiškai neišnyksta ir vis labiau tampa neatskiriama regiono tarptautinio įvaizdžio ir identiteto dalimiIn the process of double expansion of NATO and the EU in the Baltic states in 2004, the post-Cold War transition in the Baltic Sea Region is nearing toward the end. The article asserts that, as a result, not only new questions, but also a possibility for change in collaboration within this region can be raised. It is stated that in 1990’s, the major incentive for collaboration came from idealism and the need for security, and that conceptualization of collaboration within the region, as the project of fostering identity and distinctiveness, is one of the most important elements. Once the process of transition has been completed, the main motives for such a political process become less important and an idealistic nature of regional cooperation is replaced by more pragmatic, functional and selfish aspects. Nevertheless, the assertion is made that even though the idealism, solidarity, and internationalism of the nations is dwindling, they have not vanished completely but have become an inseparable part of region’s international image and identity