The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the relationship between the EU and the USA with an emphasis on the period after the year 2000. The analysis was only possible with knowledge of preceding milestones that have formed the partnership, the thesis- therefore- begins with the period after the Second World War, to which the European Union can trace its roots. The thesis follows the changes in the relationship during the decades of the Cold War (long-term trends) and in the first decade after its end (short-term trends), and then, due to the broadness of the issue, concrete themes from the period after the year 2000. The thesis also examines the relationship in terms of partnership and conflict, and examines the reasons and events behind the motivation on both sides. The first chapter deals with the Europe-USA relationship development since 1945 and is divided into five parts according to post-war decades. The second chapter deals with the Europe (EU)-USA relationship development after the Cold War up to the beginning of the new millennium. The third chapter represents the centerpiece of the thesis- key issues in the transformation of the relationship. The chapter is divided into four subchapters: divergent and shared opinions on the fight against terrorism (Afghanistan, Iraq), divergent and shared opinions in relation to international organisations and treaties (the Kyoto Protocol, the International Criminal Court), divergent and shared opinions on solving the financial crisis. The fourth subchapter examines the transformation and continuity of the relationship after the accession of the Obama administration.

This thesis analyzes the newly established U.S. National Ocean Policy. Through a content analysis of all obtained sources concerning the opinions on the policy, the main hypothesis is either confirmed or disproved. It can be assumed that Republicans would oppose this policy from obvious ideological reasons, whilst Democrats would support this policy, because it originated from their administrative and follows their positive approach to environmental issues. The ocean is not only for the United States, but also for the whole world an important source of food and various minerals, affects weather, produces a great amount of oxygen and absorbs noticeable amount of pollutants. Its economic potential for the United States is imperative and the worsening conditions of the ocean ecosystems represent an enormous potential threat to the future economic prosperity of the United States. President Barack Obama reinforced this ocean policy, which should response to the worsening conditions of the ocean, aim focus on the improvements of the ocean management and simultaneously enhance the protection of the ocean ecosystems. This policy began its journey in 2010 and was finished on paper in 2013. Its implementation will take many years, during which this political framework should lead to improvement of the ocean...