The Barents Euro-Arctic council as a mechanism for cooperation between the Russian Federation and states of Northern Europe

Abstract

Purpose : the article aims to research mechanisms of inter-State cooperation within the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, identify regional security issues, determine the role of Russian Federation in the structure of the organization. Discussion : within a variety of integration associations in Northern Europe researchers focus on the Council as an important element of humanitarian, ecological and economic cooperation. At the same time political turbulence of the last decade affects the pace of economic cooperation. The trend eliminates the basic principles which are fundamental to interregional associations. Analysis is based not only on conceptual researches but also on official reports, joint statements by the heads of states and governments, representatives of international and regional organizations. Results : the article presents the research of the Council through the prism of activity of key members, reveals the mechanism and structure of cooperation, identifies basic problems of regional security and russian involvement in integration process.