Defence diplomacy and international relations

Abstract

Significant changes in international relations have occurred over the last 30 years. The fall of the Berlin Wall can be perceived as the start of a new era because nothing has been the same since. In a short period of time, large countries disintegrated, while defence and security challenges changed dramatically. Simultaneously, there was a shift in the role of military attachés, whose responsibilities underwent changes and who were included in defence and security cooperation on a higher level. Defence attachés now act as an important link in the cooperation among bilateral partners, members of alliances and organisations fostering cooperation and confidence-building measures. This paper discusses new approaches to defence diplomacy and underscores its importance in creating a secure environment. It also lays stress on the means of developing trust among partner countries. The aim of this paper is to showcase changes in the field of defence diplomacy as well as new forms and trends in international defence policy, along with the role which defence policy plays on the international stage in the development of international bilateral and multilateral trust and security.