Energy security in Russia-EU partnership

Abstract

In this article our aim is to refl ect on complex and multidimensional relations between EU and Russia, with special focus on energy relations which seems to be in the heart of this quite peculiar economic interdependence. To do this it is necessary to look at a wider aspect of EU – Russia relations with special attention and exposure of different perceptions on mutual relations. Descending from this wider frame of mutual relations the main analysis is focused on question if EU – Russia and to some extend even EU member states – Russia relations, are based on idea of cooperation or competition. Since the focal point is energy security the article is trying to defi ne energy security from different point of views, because the perception and definition of energy security is not the same for EU, Russia or transit states for Russian energy. Nevertheless the energy security issue is most pressing for EU and its member states, due to presented statistical date on growing dependence of EU on import of energy in general and with special emphasize to its growing dependence on Russian energy resources. Article is trying to present major challenges laying ahead for EU and Russia in their energy cooperation in the frame of different future scenarios of global energy market development.