Russia is the biggest country in Europe, as well in population as in area. Therefore it is impossible for the other big entity, as well in population as in area, the EU, to ignore Russia. Even more because through the enlargement both now have a common border.
Not only for this reason, but also stemming from economic interest in the big market and its resources, the EU developed multi-faced “partnership” with Russia.
How did these partnership develop? How is it shaped? These are the first two questions this essay deals with. The Kaliningrad policy and the Energy Dialogue thereby serve as actual policy examples.
But are the EU and Russia following common interests as the term “partnership” indicates? What is missing, what are their concepts and what are the future prospects? These are the questions answered in the second part.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of the EU-Russia relations
2.1. The Gorbatshev Years
2.2. The Yeltsin Years
2.3. The Putin Years
3. The instruments of the EU-Russia relations
3.1. Agreements
3.1.1. The Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA)
3.1.2. The EU Common Strategy on Russia
3.1.3. Technical and financial assistance programmes
3.1.4. Sectoral Agreements
3.2. Meetings and bodies
3.2.1. Summits
3.2.2. The Permanent Partnership Council
3.2.3. Co-operation Committees and other bodies
3.3. Policy Examples
3.3.1. Kaliningrad
3.3.2. The Energy Dialogue
4. The interests of the EU and Russia
4.1. Common interests
4.1.1. Economic
4.1.2. Security
4.1.3. Political
4.2. Divergent interests
4.2.1. Economic
4.2.2. Security
4.2.3. Political
5. What is the overall concept of interests?
5.1. for the EU
4.2. for Russia
5. Conclusion
Research Goals and Core Themes
This essay explores the nature of the partnership between the European Union and Russia, investigating how this relationship has developed and how it is structured. It specifically examines whether the two entities pursue truly common interests or if their cooperation is hindered by divergent goals and conceptual differences.
- Historical evolution of EU-Russia relations from the Gorbachev era to the Putin administration.
- Evaluation of policy instruments, including the PCA, TACIS, and the Common Strategy on Russia.
- Analysis of practical policy examples such as the Kaliningrad regime and the Energy Dialogue.
- Identification of common versus divergent economic, security, and political interests.
- Assessment of the overarching strategic concepts held by both the EU and Russia.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. The Yeltsin Years
Also Yeltsin had the plan to “bring back Russia to Europe”. (Mommsen: 2002, p. 673) In Yeltsin’s understanding this meant a partnership with the USA and an integration into the European Organisations and the International Monetary Fund. (Mommsen: 2002, P. 673) Nevertheless other foreign policy concepts remained, such as the Eurasia orientation. Also the “Derschwanost” concept, propagating a more imperial approach, gained importance and formed a decisional base for the military intervention in Chechyna. (Mommsen: 2002, p. 674) But the orientation on Europe remained strong and already in the end of 1992 the EC and Russia started negotiations about a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement supposed to replace the one concluded with the S.U. (Mommsen: 2002, p. 675)
Since December 1991 the CIS, including Russia, benefited from the EEC’s TACIS focused on supporting the transformation process towards market economy. (Mommsen:2002, p. 676) In June 1994 the EU and Russia finally signed the Agreement on Partnership and Co-operation, which, after the ratification process, became binding not before December 1997. It was a laborious compromise between Russia’s interest to gain merely economical and trade advantages and the EU’s to integrate Russia into the community of European values. It gained all the “Four Freedoms”, except the free movement of workers, the same as in the association agreements with the CEEC. Additionally a regularly political dialogue was set up and Russia was from then on considered as a state with an economy in transition rather than with state trade (Mommsen: 2002, p. 676), an important step on Russia’s way to the membership in WTO. For the EU it was important to tie the agreement to certain conditions, such as democratic structures and observance of Human Rights. (Mommsen: 2002, p. 676)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the necessity of EU-Russia relations due to geography and economic interdependence while framing the central research questions regarding the effectiveness of their partnership.
2. History of the EU-Russia relations: This chapter traces the evolution of diplomatic ties from the Gorbachev era through the Yeltsin years and into the Putin presidency, noting shifts in foreign policy approaches.
3. The instruments of the EU-Russia relations: This chapter details the institutional and legal frameworks—such as the PCA, Common Strategy, and Energy Dialogue—that facilitate interaction between the two powers.
4. The interests of the EU and Russia: This chapter provides a comparative analysis of shared economic and security goals versus fundamental political and strategic disagreements.
5. What is the overall concept of interests?: This chapter investigates the conceptual challenges for both sides, highlighting the EU’s struggle for internal coherence and Russia’s search for a defined role in the global order.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that the partnership remains limited, and suggests that continuing dialogue is the most viable path forward despite significant structural deficits.
Keywords
European Union, Russia, Partnership, PCA, Energy Dialogue, TACIS, Kaliningrad, Economic Cooperation, Security, Foreign Policy, Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin, CIS, Modernization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper evaluates the nature of the partnership between the European Union and Russia, questioning whether it constitutes a genuine strategic alliance or a marriage of convenience driven by short-term interests.
What central themes are explored in the text?
The text focuses on the evolution of historical relations, the legal and institutional instruments used to manage ties, and the identification of both common and conflicting interests in the economic, security, and political spheres.
What is the core research question?
The study asks how the EU-Russia partnership is developed and shaped, whether the parties truly follow common interests, and what future prospects exist given their disparate conceptual approaches.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The work utilizes a qualitative approach, analyzing existing academic literature, EU documents, official policy papers, and historical developments to assess the political and economic state of the bilateral relationship.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines historical periods (Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin), specific instruments like the PCA and TACIS, specific policies (Kaliningrad, Energy Dialogue), and an analysis of mutual and divergent interests.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include EU, Russia, Partnership, Energy Dialogue, Kaliningrad, PCA, Security, and Foreign Policy.
How does the Energy Dialogue impact the bilateral relationship?
The Energy Dialogue serves as a vital test field for strategic partnership, highlighting the strong economic interdependence between Russia's resource exports and the EU's demand, though concrete multilateral agreements remain elusive.
What role do the 'four common spaces' play in the relationship?
Agreed upon at the 2003 St. Petersburg Summit, these spaces—freedom, security and justice, external security, research and education, and a common economic space—represent the long-term structural goals for future EU-Russia integration.
- Quote paper
- Georg Schwedt (Author), 2004, EU and Russia - a real partnership?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54533
