The dynamics of the relations between the European Unions and Russia

Résumé du document

With the EU enlargement approaching rapidly, an issue that has been much under discussion is the relationship between the union and Russia following the accession of the former Soviet states. Due to the interdependence that exists between the two parties, a healthy future relationship is of inherent importance for both parties regarding several issues, including security, economic, and safety issues. This paper aims to look into the relationship between the EU and the Russian Federation as well as evaluating the progression of the political cooperation between the two entities in light of the enlargement and hence the extension of the EU border closer to Russia.

Extraits

[...] With different aid programs, the EU has attempted to help the country. Between the years of 1991 and 2000, Russia received 2.281 billion EUR in aid.[3] 3 EU-Russian Relationship 1 Trade The products exported by Russia and the EU differ in both financial significance and nature. While the EU accounts for 25% of Russia's imports and 35% of its exports, EU's imports and exports to Russia were and respectively of its total trade.[4] These figures primarily illustrate two facts; EU's dependency on Russian energy supplies (the federation supplying 15% of the EU's fuel demands[5]) and access restrictions to the Russian market. [...]

[...] After having read the great plans stipulated by the EU to enforce human rights in Russia and reform the country to meet civil needs, having a country that is still struggling with issues related to violations of human rights sounds absurd. Considering the situation in Chechnya, which Russia is not even willing to discuss openly, one wonders how genuine a participation in a ESDP program would seem. Would not the core ideals of the ESDP be violated by having a country like Russia enforce the respect of human rights abroad, when they do not even succeed in doing so domestically? This would seem extremely hypocritical for the government under the treatment of the ESDP for violations of human rights. [...]

[...] A Joint Parliamentary Committee, consisting of members of the European Parliament and the Russian Duma, convene to discuss current issues. The EU enlargement 1 Implications of and Russian attitudes towards the enlargement As May 1st is approaching, the EU-Russian relationship is under some turmoil. Of the ten new member states, eight were former Soviet states. As discussed earlier in the paper, the EU-Russian relationship is greatly defined by the PCA dating from 1997. The issue now arises of whether this agreement should automatically be extended to include the new accession countries or whether it should be discussed and agreed upon separately before its extension. [...]

[...] Foreign direct investment is inherent for Russia in order to build up a well functioning economy. In 2001, foreign investments in Russia amounted to million US dollars.[7] FDI from the EU to Russia totalled 587 million EUR in 2001. International economic agreements and treaties would evidently boost investor confidence in the market and lure capital. Regarding the human rights issue, as a member of the Council of Europe, which is an institution primarily dedicated to such issues[8], Russia should be pushed to fulfil obligations imposed upon the country. [...]

[...] It could be comparable to an alcoholic teaching about sobriety. The idea of Russian contribution to the ESDP sounds absolutely absurd at this point in time and could be postponed to a later date when Russia has solved its own issues in their home field. Then it could indeed provide the ESDP with useful knowledge received from its own experience from the reform; like the former alcoholic can reach out to someone wishing to change their habits Benefits of Russian reforms When the different reforms and transformation plans for Russia are described in section it is never questioned whether these changes appeal to Russian interests. [...]