The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty and its contribution to Euro-Atlantic security after 1990

Abstract

This thesis examines the influence of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE) on security in the European Continent after 1990. This study analyses and describes the origins of the CFE treaty and its development from the late 1990s until signing the CFE agreement during the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which took place in November 1990 in Paris. In the history of Europe, the 1990s appear as a turbulent time. The end of the Cold War, collapse of communistic governments in some European countries and efforts of certain states toward NATO membership created a specific background during which armed forces reductions were formulated by the leading powers. This thesis further analyzes the relationship between NATO and the CFE treaty, their mutual cooperation, and describes the approach of selected countries toward the CFE settlement. Its also describes the new strategic shape of Europe influenced directly by resolutions of the CFE treaty. However, this agreement shouldn't be viewed as unanimous. The outcome wasn't achieved easily. Even after November 1990, there was still disagreement within certain nations concerning treaty decisions. Therefore, the main part of thesis focuses on usefulness of the CFE treaty in contemporary European security mechanisms.