Coming Closer or Drifting Apart?

EU-Russia Partnership and Eastern Enlargement

Author(s): Jeronim Perovic
Journal Title: Columbia International Affairs Online
Publisher(s): Columbia University Press
Publication Year: 2003

This paper discusses diplomatic relations between Russia and the European Union and describes the implications of EU enlargement for Russia. The author argues that unlike with NATO expansion, Russia has had little reason to object to EU enlargement as it is a civil rather than a military organization. The paper explains how the European Union is an important trading partner and source of foreign investment for the Russian economy, and how Russia sees the EU as providing important momentum for its own political reforms and national modernization projects.

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