Relationship between russian and the european union

Russia stretches over a vast expanse of Europe and Asia with an area of 17,075,200 square kilometres making it the largest country in the world in terms of land mass. This country  shares land borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and North Korea.

Since the termination of the USSR in December 1991, Russia has become an influential member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Russia’s worldwide role decreased greatly compared to that of the former Soviet Union.

Russia is an essential partner in terms of engaging and building a strategic partnership with.  The 2003 European Security Strategy has rightly placed this country as a key player on geo-political and security issues at global and regional levels.

Russia plays an important role in the UN Security Council and has significant influence in the European neighbourhood and in Central Asia. It must likewise be noted that Russia is a major supplier of energy products to the EU.

It may be considered to have a small market but Russia is a large market for EU goods and services, with considerable potential for growth. And if that’s not good news yet, listen to this: Russia is a key ally in EU efforts in its fight against new threats to security, including terrorism, pollution, crime, illegal migration and trafficking.

Russia and the European Union

The European Union’s primary objective is to enlist Russia to build a genuine strategic partnership, founded on common interests and shared values to which both sides are committed in the relevant international organisations such as the UN, Council of Europe, and OSCE, as well as with each other in the bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). As Ivanov mentioned these interests and values involved democracy, the rule of law, human rights and market economy principles (2000, pp. 33).

Shishaev says that the EU and Russia are already cooperating on various issues which include modernisation of Russia’s economy and its consolidation into the world economy, security and international issues (1999, p. 42).

Shishaev further explains that “EU relations with Russia is guided on a large spectrum of particular EU policies, including external policies like the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and trade policy; the external aspects of general EU policies such as on energy, transport, environment, etc.; the external dimension of freedom/security/justice activities; and the principles retained for development cooperation and assistance” (1999, p. 42).

Likhachev reported that the common ground for EU relations with Russia is the PCA which came into force on December 1, 1997 for an initial duration of 10 years. This agreement shall extend beyond 2007 on a yearly basis.

PCA sets the main objectives, establishes the institutional framework for bilateral contacts, and calls for activities and number of areas. The conditions of the PCA embrace a wide range of policy areas including political dialogue; trade in goods and services; business and investment; financial and legislative cooperation; science and technology; education and training; energy, nuclear and space cooperation; environment, transport; culture; and cooperation on the prevention of illegal activities. Rules of procedure for the dispute settlement provisions of the PCA were adopted in April 2004 (2000, pp. 20-24).

The EU laid down its basic approach to relations with Russia in a “Common Strategy” in 1999 which was not extended beyond June 2004. An in February 2004, the Commission adopted a Communication which adopted measures to improve the effectiveness of EU-Russia relations, specifically in the wake of increased mutual dependence, the forthcoming enlargement, and the unresolved conflicts in some countries bordering Russia.

The current institutional framework for relations with Russia as mentioned  above, is expected to change under the provisions of the new agreement with the view to creating a more concise and streamlined approach.

During the Summit held in May 2003, the EU and Russia mutually decided to strengthen their cooperation by coming up with so-called four ‘common spaces’ in the framework of the PCA. It was agreed to make a common economic space; a common space of freedom, security and justice; a space of co-operation in the field of external security; as well as a space of research and education, including cultural aspects.

Antonenko and Pinnick (2005, pp. 35-37) pointed out the ‘the purpose of the common economic space  is to create an open and integrated market between the EU and Russia which will bring down barriers to trade and investment and promote reforms and competitiveness, based on the principles of non-discrimination, transparency and good governance’.

Among the wide range of actions that were perceived are a number of new dialogues. Cooperation is being stepped up on regulatory policy, investment issues, competition, financial services, telecommunications, transport, energy, space activities and space launching, etc. Environment, including nuclear safety and the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, also figures prominently.

Meanwhile, Antonenko and Pinnick (2005, pp. 124 – 127) also reported that work on a common space for freedom, security and justice has made a big leap with the end of negotiations on the Visa Facilitation and the Readmission Agreements which were signed during the recent the EU-Russia Summit last May 25 in Sochi, Russia. Ratifications are being done by both the EU and Russia.

Working together on fighting terrorism and other forms of transnational illegal activities such as money laundering, drugs and human trafficking will continue as well as on document security through the introduction of biometric features in a range of identification documents.

Forsberg (1998, pp. 201-204) illustrated that the common space on external security, meanwhile, underlines the shared responsibility of the parties for an international order based on effective multilateralism, their support for the central role of the UN, and for the effectiveness of, in particular, the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

Currently, there are ongoing activities to strengthen cooperation in the five priority areas identified in the Road Map which include strengthening dialogue and cooperation on the international scene; fight against terrorism; non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD); crisis management; and civil protection. Under the first priority, particular attention is given to securing stability in the regions adjacent to Russian and EU borders.

Standing on the relations with Russia through its involvement in EU Research and Development activities and in particular the Framework Programme for Research and Development. The objective is to capitalise on the strength of the EU and Russian research communities and promote joint research activities in areas of common interest.