Perspectives on Change in Russia-EU Relations
Edited by Roderick KefferpützWith contributions from Arkady Moshes, Sabine Fischer, Jens Siegert & Ralf Fücks
Foreword
Russia and the European Union are increasingly bound together – if not by common values, then by virtue of their interdependence and intertwinedinterests. The EU is Russia’s most important trading partner and the source of half of all foreign investment, while Russia provides the EU with 40 percent of its total gas imports. Beyond these strong economic ties, both actors have a mutual interest in maintaining international stability and a secure neighbourhood, whether with regards to international terrorism, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the trafficking of narcotics, climate change or stable energy markets.
In spite of this, EU-Russian relations are at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. The relationship has been marred by competing interests in the ‘shared abroad’, irritations about anti-democratic tendencies in Russia’s domestic policy, energy conflicts and bilateral problems between Russia and several EU member states. In this context, negotiations on a new, wide-ranging EU-Russia Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), which expired in December 2007, have been blocked, with the latest EU-Russia summits only serving to highlight the continued deadlock between the two.
The domestic situations of both actors are partially responsible for the lack of progress in the relationship. While Brussels has entered a period of self-consolidation after its eastwards enlargement and the failed referenda on the Constitutional Treaty, Moscow has been pre-occupied with ensuring a smooth transition to a post-Putin presidency. More importantly, however, relations are in the grip of a new configuration of forces which profoundly differs from the 1990s. Russia has come a long way since the Yeltsin era: President Putin restored a strong and centralised state authority, the Russian economy is experiencing rapid growth thanks to rising energy prices, Russian investment abroad has entered a new dimension, and the country has a strong international profile, leading to renewed and at times overweening confidence. The EU, on the other hand, recently expanded to 27 member states, encompassing a population of over 450 million, and now shares a ‘near abroad’ with Russia. Adapting to these new realities understandably expands the potential for conflict. As such, it will take time for both sides to find a mutually satisfactory modus vivendi and come up with a new agreement that replaces the outdated PCA.
This timely publication aims to elucidate the views of both actors with regards to their relationship. It provides succinct analyses of the current status quo and examines the potential for positive change. We hope that it can be a contribution to the debate on a more fruitful relationship between the EU and Russia that fulfils its responsibility to tackle today’s international problems and promotes a stable and prosperous Europe.
Ralf Fücks
Co-President, Heinrich Böll Foundation
Table of contents
- Foreword
by Ralf Fücks - Not Yet at the Crossroads
Is There Hope for Positive Change in Russia-EU Relations?
by Arkady Moshes - EU-Russia Relations: Views from Brussels
by Sabine Fischer - It’s All Psychology!
by Jens Siegert & Ralf Fücks
Ralf Fücks is a member of the executive board of the Heinrich Böll Foundation since 1996. He is a regular contributor to numerous newspapers and political periodicals and co-author to numerous books.