從當前國際關係諸多研究來看，小國安全政策尚未成為國際關係的研究主流，即便小國數目眾多，多數研究仍指出影響國際關係發展的主要因素還是大國間互動關係。但隨冷戰結束、兩極對抗體系瓦解，眾多新興國際議題重要性逐漸升高，學術研究逐步重視新興議題對國家間互動之影響。從這個面向來看，冷戰結束使得許多小國逐漸拋棄傳統對立的安全政策，將重心擺在更廣泛的安全面向並同時擴及到其他眾多新興領域。關於此點觀察，透過對歐盟小國的案例分析，可更清楚說明此一趨勢。由於歐盟制度設計使然，小國得以在制度框架下發揮若干議題領域的關鍵優勢，使小國影響力進一步獲得提升。本研究從上述角度出發，首先在分析架構上說明小國安全政策的限制與突破，繼而在非傳統安全面向上釐清小國影響力發揮的重要性，這可從歐盟整合經驗過程中發現，小國透過制度安排、專長領導與區域結盟的多重特色，發揮其影響力。

As great power politics are regarded as trend setters in international relations (IR), most contemporary IR studies often neglected small states' foreign behaviors. However, after the end of the Cold War, bipolar confrontation of great powers no longer existed, attentions began to turn to small states in the realm of international relations. The author argues that, with the help of proper design of methodological approach, the extent of small states' external influences may be evaluated. For small European states, alternative, rotation, profession, and alliances are different categories that could shape the states' external influences vested in EU's institutional design. Moreover, social character and role-playing theories are also helpful for the explanation of state's social position; namely, the roles of pace-setting, foot-dragging or fence-sitting. Through the lens of small states non-traditional security external influence model and the case study of fight against cigarette smuggling in Lithuania, we argue that small states may have their influences in regional integration and beyond.