After joining the European Union the member states have to consider a European dimension in making their decisions. Especially concerning security issues this is not always an easy task. As the heading betrays, this thesis analyses the relevance of the European Security Strategy for small, central European countries. The examined strategies belong to Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Switzerland. The analysing process is based on eight categories: ambitions of the

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... es, concept and security approach, risks and threats, tasks of security forces, geographical focus, cooperation, international operations and budgetary issues. Consensus exists on ambitions of safeguarding security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and on common values like democracy and rule of law as well as on ensuring human rights and fundamental freedom. All examined countries own a comprehensive security approach; in addition NATO member states focus on the system of comprehensive defence. There is a large agreement on most significant risks and threats like terrorism, organised crime, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, disasters caused by humans or nature and illegal migration. Pandemics and epidemics are also listed in all strategies. Central European countries prefer cooperation and coalitions with international organisations they are members of, like the United Nations or NATO. The perception of the European Union as framework for international operations increases. Less accordance exists on the tasks of the security forces. Only participation in international operations, crisis and conflict management as well as defence tasks and disaster management are mentioned in all strategies.