The dynamics of the relations between the European Unions and Russia

Extraits de l'exposé

[...] 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. [...]

[...] With differing thoughts such as these, it is not difficult to understand the dissimilar views regarding the consequences of Russia not extending the PCA (as mentioned in section 5.1 While the EU's official standpoint is that there is to be no sanctions on Russia, off-the- record comments suggest the opposite. An article also states that the EU's strategy towards Russia is ineffective. There is said to be vigorous competition to cultivate Russia. Countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Britain have proceeded to form close ?bilateral rapports? with Russia's president.[26] The credibility of the EU as a common block is seriously undermined by the independent actions and opinions expressed by its member countries. [...]

[...] The organisation stated that the elections were ?overwhelmingly distorted?.[10] It has been agreed that possible Russian contribution to a common European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) is to be looked into. This would signify Russian contribution to aid in humanitarian crises, peacekeeping, peace- enforcement and de-mining operations under the leadership of the EU.[11] Regarding destruction of chemical weapons agreed upon by Russia in 1997, the government will probably require a time extension to fulfil their promise. Nuclear weapons activities are also on the EU agenda as an issue that it wishes to address and help Russia in eliminating. [...]

[...] In 2003, the European Commission President, Romano Prodi underlined the genuine interest of the EU to integrate their neighbouring countries their ?ring of friends'. ?Instead of trying to establish new dividing lines, deeper integration between the EU and the ring of friends will accelerate our mutual political, economic and cultural dynamism?.[20] The EU wishes to share the advantages of the enlargement with its neighbours through a ?shared economic and social space on the European continent' or the ?Wider-Europe'. The EU aims to work at allowing Russia to enjoy the ?four freedoms' of the EU; free movement of persons, goods, services and capital. [...]