Masaryk university

Conclusion

Slovakia, on the other hand, did not attempt to decrease its dependency on Russia, and it adhered to an Autonomist ideology in its foreign policy. By supporting Russian interests in Slovakia, the political elite allowed the formation of pro-Russian groups which could undermine American interests in the region and lead to less support for an Atlantist approach towards foreign policy.⁴²² Politically, it was rebuffed by the West as illustrated by the country’s rejection in the first round of NATO and EU enlargement. Furthermore, Russia considered the country a political ally.⁴²³ The Slovak government encouraged military cooperation and the country followed Hungary’s precedence by importing Russian weapons. Economically, the dependency on Russian gas was solidified during the visit of Prime Minister Černomyrdin and by signing the “gas agreements”.

The first governments of the Czech and Slovak republics after the “Velvet Divorce” formed the foundations of the foreign policy orientations of the country. In the Czech Republic, the Atlantist government alongside the Atlantist president, who would govern for 10 years, worked to establish close ties with America. The Czech Republic expressed desire to become a US ally and willingness to support US foreign policy initiatives. In contrast, Slovak governments had laid the groundwork for close political, military and economic relations with Russia. While the Czech Republic viewed energy dependency on Russia as a threat to its stability and sovereignty, Slovakia increased its dependency, and by signing long-term supply contracts with Russia, created barriers in diversifying its energy sources.

The following leftist Czech government held to an Europeanist ideology in foreign policies. Although the government was somewhat hesitant in supporting US foreign policy initiatives such as the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, it did not try to form any close cooperation with Russia. Instead, the government tried to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries such as the settlement of Russian debt which was blocking development of the relationship. During this time, Slovakia embraced Atlanticism in their foreign policy orientation towards America. However, the Slovak government did not try to lessen the dependence on Russian energy sources and instead sold shares in strategically important energy companies to Russian companies, which again only reinforced the country’s reliance on the import of Russian energy.

Since the last elections in 2006, an Atlantist government is in power in the Czech Republic and an Europeanist oriented government leads in Slovakia. While the Czech government supported the American led controversial initiative of placing a radar base on Czech territory, it received numerous threats from Russia and even a disruption in energy supplies. Due to the diversification of energy sources 15 years earlier, this interruption did not negatively affect the Czech Republic economically or destabilize the region, and the government did not succumb to the coercive tactics of Russia. Slovakia opposed US foreign policy projects and pulled its troops out of Iraq as well as criticized the decision of the Czech Republic and Poland to place a radar base on their territory. The Slovak government aimed to cultivate relations with Russia and did not attempt to diversify its energy sources. Instead, Fico’s government increased the dependency of Slovakia on Russian energy sources.

Energy sources form an important element in Russian foreign policy and the Russian government does not hesitate to use it as a coercive or intimidating instrument. The Czech Republic has gained greater independency by diversifying its supply of energy while the Slovak Republic has not. Energy dependency forms an important element to why the country maintains warmer relations with the country and is hesitant to oppose Russia. In Berlin in 2006, the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus remarked on the influence energy dependency has on the political sovereignty of a country:

“Those who control your energy supply control you politically. This is unacceptable.”⁴²⁴

The difference in energy policies of the Czech and Slovak Republics underlines their different approaches towards Russia. The Czech Republic diversified early and was reluctant to form joint ventures during the 1990s with Gazprom thus the country was not dependent on the supply of oil and gas from Russia which allowed it a certain amount of protection against the coercive policies of Russia. Therefore, the Czech government was able to stand as more of an equal partner during negotiations, not in debt to Russia for its energy, and unlike Slovakia, places the security of its state and desire to maintain economic stability above the economic benefits of transit revenue.

9. Bibliography

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