The role and impact of the small states diplomacy on regional and international security

• Main Author: Dr.Sc. Bejtush Gashi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Felix-Verlag 2016-07-01
• Series: ILIRIA International Review
• Subjects: security; security concept; small states; diplomacy; alliances; UN; NATO; EU
• Online Access: http://iliriapublications.org/index.php/iir/article/view/221
• ISSN: 2192-7081; 2365-8592

History has proved that the safety for small countries has never been secure, however this has been more emphasized during the Cold War Period through the rivalry of the superpowers, ideological conflicts, as well as the clashes between their geopolitical and geostrategic interests. For the Superpowers it is very easy to manipulate with these countries' economic and military aspect. They can't handle a conflict with their strengths, while the only way is diplomatic war to avoid or decrease the danger of conflict. To avoid insecurity, which for the small countries in the international relationships is bigger than for the big countries, the only safety alternative is their association in the international institutions. To face the regional and global challenges of safety, the Western Balkan countries have only one strategic solution, that is the integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. The membership institutionalizes the relations between the small countries with those regional in the economic and safety field, as well as it sets the frames of the behavior with which the weak are protected from the eventual misuse from the most powerful ones. Small countries should concentrate in the creation of the professional and trained forces which can be easily mobilized in case of any crisis and they should also be affordable in the economic aspect.