EU energy security and Russia: a re-conceptualization of threats and policy priorities

摘要: Russia’s persistence in conventional foreign policy goals, methods and means, as the wars Chechnya Georgia attest, establishment of a “sovereign democratic” regime, with an emphasis not on civil society but strong state institutions, form normative disjuncture EU’s postmodern international posture. In energy sector, disinclination to open up its economy investments and, even more importantly, break oil gas monopolies, comes stark contrast progressively liberalized integrated market. Furthermore, determinant stance vis-a-vis Ukraine Belarus beginning 2006, 2007 2009 eye impose higher prices for these states receive, which also led supply shortages some EU member states, was viewed unnecessarily confrontational brutal European Union that retains mild conciliatory mode policy-making. Lastly, grand constructing direct pipelines Western soil bypassing traditional transit countries is well taken Warsaw, Talin, Riga Vilnius. combination Gazprom’s aggressive market through acquisition number distribution enterprises downstream Russia now considered both threat security, one fundamental pillars. This paper focuses natural gas, rather than oil, presumption whilst global, markets are regional. Although LNG creates potential creation global market, trade remains basically pipeline-bound can thus easily be substituted by other sources. Hence, EU-Russia carries weight within their bilateral relationship. The examines discourse policy-making circles regard role provider. Its aim clarify misperceptions haunting suggest rational working framework. Such re-conceptualization it major revisions