Research On Interaction Between EU And Visegrad Group

Sub-region is a level-of-analysis between national and regional leves,and it is often neglected in the area studies.This dissertation maily studies Visegrad Group(V4)as a sub-regional power within the European Union,from the perspective of sub-reginal cooperation.The study focuses on V4-EU relation,their interactive environment,process and the results.The research methods adopted in the dissertation are historical analysis and case studies.The aim of the study is to find out how the sub-reginal cooperation participants even affects the process of regional cooperation and governance.V4,four EU small and medium-sized countries,are located in central and eastern Europe and geographically close to each other.They estsablish an issue-based cooperative mechanism,runining by all-round consultation,in order to realize and guarantee common interests within the EU and in international arena.The cooperative mechanism works mainly through the network of quadrilateral dialogue and consultation and V4+ platform,guaranteeing by rotating presidency system and Internationa Visegrad Fund.V4 cooperative mechanism has two chief characteristcs: V4 internal structure is loosly coupled.It has a comparatively loosely organized mechanism,but builds multilayered ties at both the governmental and civil levels.Meanwhile,V4's interaction with the EU reflects sub-regional independence and regional dependence.These characteristics determine that V4 shoule obey three principles in the relationship: inclusive interest,EU rules as prerequisite,and flexibility.The phased evolution process in time and the expansion in space identify the structural orientation of V4&EU.In order to get a better picture of their relationship,the study examines V4 cooperation in the Schengen enlargement and the negotioation of the 2014-2020 multiannual financial framework,and analyzes the process,the causeand-effect and the logic behind the V4&EU interactive practice.Based on above analysis,this dissertation presents a basic policy framework of V4&EU interaction that consists of target system,capacity system and content system.The target system gives tactics to define the direction of cooperation.The capacity system offers dynamic mechanism by enhancing V4's interactive capacity from inside and outside.The content system,i.e.,the interaction of the institutional layer with the cooperation area layer,is an effective guarantee to implement their interactive practice.According to this study,sub-regional cooperation is a natural outcome of unbanlanced regional development,is a realistic choice for small and medium-sized countries to safeguard their own interests in regional cooperation.The study finds the existent rationality of sub-regional cooperation.It has some explanatory power as well as limitations that cannot be overcome by itself.Theory and practice of sub-regional cooperation offers us a fertile field for future research.