EU-Russian Energy Dialogue

EU-Russian energy dialogue represents a policy issue that forces us to take a serious look at several crucial questions related to the present and future of Europe such as: how can the EU area ensure its future energy security when it is running out of its own energy resources and at the same time incorporating new members who are also dependent on energy imports? This book not only outlines the overall characteristics of the energy dialogue, but also illustrates the involved policy implementation challenges by paying special attention to the regional context of northern Europe. The study contributes to diverse fields such as international relations and political science, European studies, studies on energy politics, international political economy, post-Soviet politics, and literature on regionalization and regionalisms, with a special reference to northern Europe.

'This timely and important work provides an important insight into a crucial aspect of the contemporary international energy jigsaw, the Russian-EU energy relationship. The work provides a theoretically informed and empirically grounded assessment of sustainability, regional tensions, the current contradiction between supplier and consumer interests, and, ultimately, the fundamental question of trust between the two parts of the continent. Essential reading for all those concerned with issues of global energy security.' Richard Sakwa, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK '...a particularly interesting attempt to encourage dialogue both at the policy and theoretical levels.' The International Spectator 'This book offers an interesting collection of case studies which serve to illustrate the various difficulties faced in the construction of a pan-European energy policy towards Russia.' Journal of Contemporary European Research 'All the chapters are well written and provide the reader with a complete picture of the historical, theoretical, political and economic dynamics in action vis-à-vis the emergence of the EU-Russian energy dialogue and the development of a pan-European energy policy. But what is crucial regarding this book is the approach used by the authors in the analysis of different countries. Rather than looking at the political choices of the individual countries, the chapters move a step further and provide an analysis of what they call "the bureaucratic politics of energy" (p. 192), which focuses on the role of different actors within the EU, including the Commission and the individual member states) and within Russia, (including parliament and the oil companies).' Europe-Asia Studies '...the anthology provides some fresh and insightful perspectives on the EU-Russian energy dialogue.' Russian Review '...this book is rich on perspectives and insightful analyses. It provides timely and essential reading for anyone interested in the wider ramificatio

Pami Aalto is a Research Fellow at University of Tampere, Finland.