2012年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_The_EU_4页_57kb

EU-Russian Divergent Logics of Communication Summary

Introduction

This policy brief analyzes the EU-Russia summit held in Nizhny Novgorod on June 9-10, 2011, highlighting the political context, expectations, outcomes, and future perspectives of bilateral relations. The summit was largely seen as a futile diplomatic exercise, with no significant breakthroughs in key areas of cooperation.

Core Content

The summit was viewed by Russian experts and journalists as a symbolic rather than substantive event, with no meaningful progress on critical issues. The EU and Russia have long struggled to align their communication strategies and policy goals, leading to a persistent lack of mutual understanding and cooperation.

Main Issues and Disconnections

1. Visa-Free Regime

• Russia's stance: Initially resisted allowing a special visa regime for the Kaliningrad region, later disavowed this position.
• EU's stance: Insists on a long-term approach, emphasizing the need for Russia to implement biometric passports and address issues with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
• Outcome: No agreement reached; the EU views the visa-free regime as a long-term goal rather than a short-term achievement.

2. Russia's Accession to the WTO

• EU's concerns: Focused on Russia's legal framework, protectionist measures, and state support for domestic and foreign automakers.
• Russia's position: Seeks to maintain its customs union with Kazakhstan and Belarus, and resists EU pressure on Ukraine.
• Outcome: No progress made; EU remains critical of Russia's trade practices.

3. Partnership for Modernisation (PfM)

• EU's vision: Includes legal, socio-political, and judicial reforms, such as fighting corruption and involving civil society.
• Russia's focus: Prioritizes European investment and high-tech transfers.
• Outcome: Tensions remain; EU's broader modernization agenda is not fully accepted by Russia.

4. Rule of Law and Human Rights

• EU's demands: Calls for independent judiciary, fair trials, and protection of journalists and activists.
• Russia's response: Rejects EU interference, arguing that such demands are not aligned with its legal and political framework.
• Outcome: No concrete progress; the EU continues to highlight cases like Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Sergey Magnitsky.

5. Local Conflict Resolution

• EU's position: Demands withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgian territories and access for EU monitoring missions.
• Russia's stance: Resists these demands, considering them interference in internal affairs.
• Outcome: No resolution; EU remains dissatisfied with Russia's approach to regional conflicts.

Key Outcomes

• The summit did not yield any significant agreements.
• The EU and Russia continue to experience deep conceptual and normative dissonance.
• The lack of progress underscores the difficulty in aligning their communication and policy logic.

Future Perspectives

1. Rising Unilateralism in Germany

• Germany is becoming more independent in its foreign policy, showing interest in closer ties with Russia and China.
• This shift may lead to a more significant role for Russian-German relations, potentially reducing the influence of the broader EU framework.

2. Regionalisation of Europe

• Europe is increasingly focusing on regional partnerships, such as the Visegrad Group and the Baltic-Nordic Europe.
• These regional groupings could offer Russia opportunities for closer cooperation with specific EU member states, rather than the entire EU.

3. Polish EU Presidency

• The upcoming Polish EU Presidency is expected to emphasize the Eastern Partnership and regional security.
• This could create new dynamics in EU-Russian relations, particularly regarding conflicts in Transdniestria and Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The Kremlin's response to this opportunity will be a crucial test for future cooperation.

Conclusion

The Nizhny Novgorod summit confirmed the entrenched difficulties in EU-Russian relations, marked by a lack of mutual understanding and progress. While regionalisation and shifting dynamics within the EU may present new opportunities, the fundamental misalignment in communication and policy logic between the two sides remains a significant barrier to meaningful cooperation.