Abstract:
Eastern European countries gave the following block of strategically important objectives in favor
of membership in NATO: strengthening of internal situation in the country; strengthening and enlargement of
NATO by new approaches based on the existing geopolitical situation; strengthening and acceleration of
democratic processes of regional reconstruction and establishment of new European order. All abovementioned
objectives constituted the core of new geopolitics in Eastern European region. Benefits from the enlargement
at the expense of Eastern European countries were obtained by NATO and it was dictated by geopolitical
reality. Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary cover very unstable Balkans. Thus, they serve as a shield
against possible distribution of instability of this region to Europe and NATO. Inversely, they suggest the
comfortable bridge in the region to prevent conflicts, regulation of conflicts and elimination of conflicts in this
region. At the same time, Romania and Slovakia jointly with NATO members as Hungary and Poland fulfill the
same functions of bridge/shield in relation to more instable Moldavia, Ukraine and Belorussia.
