The EU’s partnership with Russia in the energy sphere.: Towards greater security or increased vulnerability to threats?
Authors
Rauk, Roksana ; Kaptur, Karolina
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2008
Pages
139
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger forholdet mellem EU og dets største nabo, Rusland, med særligt fokus på energi. Den peger på, at stigende afhængighed af russiske energileverancer kan skabe økonomiske og politiske risici for EU. Hovedspørgsmålet er, hvorfor EU alligevel vælger at stramme energibåndene til Rusland. Afhandlingen undersøger, om fraværet af pålidelige alternativer kan være en forklaring: Kan større diversificering af olie- og gasleverandører—fx tættere samarbejde med lande i det Kaspiske område, Nordafrika og Mellemøsten—svække Ruslands indflydelse og styrke EU’s energisikkerhed? Den ser også på, om medlemslandene realistisk kan opnå enighed om en sådan kurs. En anden mulig forklaring er, at EU bevidst forsøger at balancere sin afhængighed ved at styrke andre forbindelser til Rusland end energi. Analysen bygger på teoretiske perspektiver fra realisme (stater søger magt og sikkerhed) og liberalisme (samarbejde og gensidig afhængighed kan skabe stabilitet) samt Barry Buzans sikkerhedsbegreb, især idéen om regionale sikkerhedskomplekser, hvor landes sikkerhed i samme region er tæt forbundne.
This thesis examines relations between the European Union and its largest neighbor, Russia, with a focus on energy. It notes that growing reliance on Russian energy supplies can create economic and political risks for the EU. The core question is why the EU continues to tighten energy ties with Russia despite these risks. The thesis considers whether a lack of reliable alternatives helps explain this stance: Could broader diversification of oil and gas suppliers—such as deeper cooperation with countries in the Caspian region, North Africa, and the Middle East—reduce Russia’s influence and strengthen the EU’s energy security? It also asks whether EU member states are likely to reach consensus on such a course. An alternative explanation is that the EU may be deliberately balancing its dependence by reinforcing non-energy links with Russia. The analysis draws on theoretical perspectives from realism (states seek power and security) and liberalism (cooperation and interdependence can foster stability), as well as Barry Buzan’s concept of security, especially Regional Security Complexes, where the security of neighboring states is closely interconnected.
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