In this Issue

At the current stage of confrontation, interintegration mechanisms are a relevant topic of research, driven by the continuing academic need for a comprehensive political science study of the specifics of relations between the EU and the EaP countries, taking into account the cases of Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Long-standing political, economic, cultural, and human ties have always underpinned our understanding of the need to ensure European security and stability as a guarantee of the well-being of the EaP countries. This understanding is especially important in conflict situations, when the political elite of the EaP countries has consciously and firmly chosen to actively integrate into the European and global community, as repeatedly stated by the political leadership of these countries. Recently, cooperation between the EaP countries, both with pan-European organizations and with individual European countries, has reached a qualitatively new level and is supported by concrete steps in domestic and foreign policy. This is evidenced by the regular holding of important multilateral and bilateral meetings and negotiations in recent years, including at the highest level, within the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, and other continental forums. The documents and decisions adopted during these meetings have made it possible to begin building a fundamentally new system of collective security both in Europe and in the EaP countries. Furthermore, cooperation between the EaP countries, the United States, and NATO and EU member states, along with a shared commitment to protecting the world from war, military invasion, and threats, significantly contributed to the improvement of not only bilateral relations but also relations between the EaP countries and the West. Moreover, the very fact of holding negotiations on such key issues as ending war and nuclear deterrence once again demonstrated to the world that the EU and the United States truly strive to become equal strategic partners, recognizing their responsibility for the fate of the world and its security. Therefore, the heads of state, politicians, diplomats, and military personnel who were members of the negotiating delegations sought to ensure maximum and guaranteed security for their countries without infringing on the interests and priorities of their allies and partners, taking into account their opinions, wishes, and proposals. During these negotiations, a new model for the negotiation process itself began to emerge, one that could serve as an example and basis for shaping relations between the EaP countries and other states, primarily European ones. This model is not burdened by narrow-mindedness, mutual mistrust, and outdated approaches, but is aimed exclusively at solving specific problems within established deadlines.