In Search of Priorities
The EU, Russia and Their Common Neighbours
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
The European Union maintains a strategic partnership with Russia and seeks to maintain privileged relations with its neighbours in the east. Increasingly, Russian and EU interests are colliding in this neighbourhood. Moscow assesses the Neighbourhood Policy as an attempt to displace Russia from the region and has an allergic reaction to democratisation. But it would be wrong for the EU to reduce its engagement in this realm. Brussels must be prepared to assume more responsibility. Democracy and market economics, not the region’s geopolitical reorientation, should have priority. In this way, the neighbouring countries could keep their ties with Russia. And Russia could no longer suspect the EU of pursuing a policy according to the rules of a null-sum game.
(Osteuropa 2-3/2007, pp. 21–34)