ANDREW MONAGHAN

From Plans to Substance: EU-Russia Relations During the British Presidency

Russie.Nei.Visions, n.5, August 2005

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Moscow's relationships with both Brussels and London have been bumpy. Nonetheless, recent progress in EU-Russie relations suggests the potential for refashioning the 'strategic partnership' in a more realistic manner. The UK's priorities are to build on the successes of the Luxembourg presidency and convert plans into practical projects. There are a number of difficulties however, including continuing differences in values and potential clashes of interests. These are likely to be exacerbated by problems in the policy-making structures on both sides. Although the chance exists to add momentum to the relationship, progress will be slow and small scale.

Andrew Monaghan is a Visiting Lecturer in the Defence Studies Department, King's College, London, Research Associate at the CSRC (Conflict Studies Research Centre) of the Defense Academy of Great Britain and a Global Fellow at the FPC (Foreign Policy Centre) in London.

Russie.Nei.Visions is an electronic collection of policy papers published in French, English and Russian by the Russia/NIS Center, Ifri.