A new agreement between the EU and Russia: Why, what and when?
A new agreement between the EU and Russia: Why, what and when?

Author(s): Michael Emerson, Fabrizio Tassinari, Marius Vahl
Subject(s): International relations/trade, Security and defense, Politics and communication
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: EU and Russia; Partnership and Cooperation Agreement; 2007 question;
Summary/Abstract: The 10th anniversary of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Russia due on 1 December 2007 is already prompting thoughts on whether and how to replace it. This raises basic issues about the form, purpose and content of bilateral treaties in the context of an integrating Europe. We argue that the model of the comprehensive multi-sectoral treaty, well known to the EU and its neighbours that aspire to membership, is not suited to the case of Russia, which is not an applicant for membership. Attempts to produce weaker derivatives of this model result in long-winded and pretentious texts that are thin or devoid of legally-binding substance. The treaty form also involves extremely long and risky ratification procedures on the side of the EU and its member states, and is extremely inflexible, even possibly becoming outdated before entry into force. For the foreseeable future, it would be best to focus efforts on concrete, sector-specific agreements.

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