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The EU and Russia:
From principle to pragmatism
by Katinka Barysch, November 2006
The
EU and Russia find it difficult to get on. Europeans
are disturbed by the Russian government's scant regard
for civil liberties, its tightening grip on the energy
sector and its bullying of neighbouring countries.
Half of all Britons and more than 60 per cent of French
people think badly of Russia. Russians, in turn, grumble
that the EU is complicated and condescending. They
do not know what to make of the EU’s internal
travails and its continued expansion. They suspect
that the new East European members have turned the
EU against Moscow.
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Cyprus, Turkey and the EU: Time for a sense of proportion
and compromise
by David Hannay, July 2006
The start of Turkish accession
talks provided a faint glimmer of hope for unfreezing
the Cyprus stalemate that has prevailed since the
Greek Cypriots voted down a UN-sponsored settlement
plan in 2004. However, the negotiations could be blocked
unless Turkey fully implements its customs union agreement
with the EU by allowing Greek Cypriot ships into its
ports. Turkey has refrained from doing so because
the EU has not fulfilled its pledge to restore trade
links with Northern Cyprus.
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How
to strengthen EU foreign policy
by Charles Grant and Mark
Leonard, July 2006
The European Union
urgently needs a plan for a more effective foreign
policy. Opinion polls suggest that a majority of Europeans
would support a stronger EU foreign policy. The gravity
of current issues such as the Iranian nuclear problem,
the future of the Western Balkans, EU energy security
and the deteriorating relationship with Russia show
the urgent need for a more effective Common Foreign
and Security Policy (CFSP).
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Let
justice be done:
Punishing crime in the EU
by Hugo Brady and Mónica
Roma, April 2006
Cross-border crime is on the rise across the European
Union. Member-states have committed themselves to
fighting this trend by closer co-operation in justice
and home affairs (JHA). Despite some ambitious agreements,
like the European arrest warrant in 2001, they have
now become less enthusiastic about working together
at EU level. In this policy brief, Hugo Brady and
Mónica Roma explain the reasons for this lack
of progress. They outline the challenges facing the
member-states as they try to prevent criminals from
exploiting differences between their legal systems.
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The
EU's awkward neighbour:
Time for a new policy on Belarus
by
Charles Grant and Mark Leonard,
April 2006
On 19 March the people of Belarus vote in a presidential
election. The result of an election that has been
neither free nor fair is certain: President Alyaksandr
Lukashenka will be re-elected. What is not certain
is how the EU reacts.The EU should offer the regime
big incentives to reform, but also make clear that
any further repression would provoke a tough response.
The EU should step up its efforts to support civil
society and overhaul its methods for aiding NGOs.
The EU must also engage with Russia to discuss how
best to encourage a reform agenda within Belarus.
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