Defence cooperation between Germany and the Visegrad countries: Brexit as a window of opportunity?

URBANOVSKÁ, Jana and Stanislava BRAJERČÍKOVÁ. Defence cooperation between Germany and the Visegrad countries: Brexit as a window of opportunity? In DAAD - University of Cambridge workshop “The EU in international security after Brexit: New paths for Germany and Central-Eastern Europe?”, Cambridge, UK. 2018.

Basic information

• Original name: Defence cooperation between Germany and the Visegrad countries: Brexit as a window of opportunity?
• Name in Czech: Obranná spolupráce mezi Německem a Visegrádskými zeměmi: Brexit jako okno příležitosti?
• Name (in English): Defence cooperation between Germany and the Visegrad countries: Brexit as a window of opportunity?
• Authors: URBANOVSKÁ, Jana and Stanislava BRAJERČÍKOVÁ.
• Edition: DAAD - University of Cambridge workshop “The EU in international security after Brexit: New paths for Germany and Central-Eastern Europe?”, Cambridge, UK, 2018.

Other information

• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Keywords (in Czech): Německo, Visegrádské země, obranná spolupráce, brexit
• Keywords in English: Germany, Visegrad countries, defence cooperation, Brexit
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union has already increased international expectations on Germany as regards its leading role in matters of security and defence in Europe. Under the ongoing “responsibility discourse”, Germany has expressed its willingness to assume greater international responsibilities and get more engaged in the management of multiple European and international crises. In our paper, we would like to focus on German defence cooperation with Central European countries, known as the Visegrad Four (V4), as natural partners for Germany due to the close economic, geographical, cultural, political and social ties. So far, the V4 has not really been an attractive platform for German defence cooperation with Central European countries and has shown only a limited potential even for its members. However, due to the expected course of the process of construction of European security architecture after Brexit and German role within this process, we argue that defence cooperation between Germany and the V4 countries will most likely intensify. Given the strict adherence of Germany to multilateralism and the need to build partnerships and shape coalitions, the V4 countries can turn out to be a useful partner of Germany, adding legitimacy to its leadership efforts.

Abstract (in Czech)

Rozhodnutí Velké Británie opustit Evropskou unii zvýšilo mezinárodní očekávání vůči Německu a jeho vedoucí roli v otázkách evropské bezpečnosti a obrany. Německo samotné vyjádřilo svoje odhodlání převzít větší zodpovědnost za řešení mezinárodních problémů a být aktivnější při zvládání četných evropských i mezinárodních krizí. V našem příspěvku se zaměřujme na obrannou spolupráci Německa a zemí střední Evropy coby přirozených partnerů Německa vzhledem k jejich blízkým ekonomickým, geografickým, kulturním, historickým, politickým a společenským vazbám. Vzhledem k očekávanému průběhu procesu budování evropské bezpečnostní architektury po brexitu a role Německa v rámci tohoto procesu předpokládáme, že obranná spolupráce mezi Německem a zeměmi V4 s největší pravděpodobností posílí. Vzhledem k německému důrazu na multilateralismus a potřebě budovat partnerství a vytvářet koalice se mohou země V4 vyprofilovat jako užitečný partner Německa, který přispívá k posilování legitimity jeho vedoucí role.

Abstract (in English)

The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union has already increased international expectations on Germany as regards its leading role in matters of security and defence in Europe. Under the ongoing “responsibility discourse”, Germany has expressed its willingness to assume greater international responsibilities and get more engaged in the management of multiple European and international crises. In our paper, we would like to focus on German defence cooperation with Central European countries, known as the Visegrad Four (V4), as natural partners for Germany due to the close economic, geographical, cultural, political and social ties. So far, the V4 has not really been an attractive platform for German defence cooperation with Central European countries and has shown only a limited potential even for its members. However, due to the expected course of the process of construction of European security architecture after Brexit and German role within this process, we argue that defence cooperation between Germany and the V4 countries will most likely intensify. Given the strict adherence of Germany to multilateralism and the need to build partnerships and shape coalitions, the V4 countries can turn out to be a useful partner of Germany, adding legitimacy to its leadership efforts.

Links

• GA17-12243S, research and development project: Name: Německo a vojenské operace out-of-area: civilní mocnost, obchodní stát nebo mocnost středního řádu? (Acronym: NVO)

Investor: Czech Science Foundation