Diverging Security Belongings in Eastern Europe: Is a Security Community Possible?

- Presentation speakers
  - Mehmet Gökay Özerim, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey
Abstract:

It is one of the significant questions whether Eastern European countries define themselves within the same security community or their ‘security belongings’ are differentiated. In this respect,this study purposes to question in which framework that Eastern European countries have been defining themselves in terms of belonging to a security community in the Post-Cold War era and aims to present remarkable differences and similarities among the East European countries. Taking ‘security community’ approach as a theoretical base, the methodology of the study is constructed upon a comparative perspective by focusing on the security alliances and initiatives in East Europe in scope of three case countries, namely Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro. The paper will examine the concrete outputs of the security belonging perception of these countries by analyzing their alliances with the other countries in the region, their membership of international organizations and their approach to the specific security challenges in a comparative perspective. The study will also reveal whether it is more likely for the East European countries to become a part of a larger community (such as EU) or to compose a new security community.