Bridging A (Mis)Perceptional Gap: The EU’s Eastern Partnership and Russian Policies in the Trans-Caucasus

Abstract

The launch of the EU’s Eastern Partnership in 2009 has puzzled both Russian decision-makers and experts. To the date they cannot arrive to any specific conclusion: whether this project is another geopolitical challenge to Russia’s domination in the post-Soviet space or a potential platform for cooperation both with the EU and countries of the region? The author believes that regardless numerous misunderstandings and misperceptions there is a ‘window of opportunity’ for the EU, Russia and Trans-Caucasian countries to develop a joint cooperative strategy.

Keywords

• European Union, Eastern Partnership, Russia, “soft” power

AB’nin Doğu Ortaklığı Projesi ve Rusya’nın Güney Kafkasya Politikaları: Ortak Bir Algı Geliştirmek

Abstract

Avrupa Birliği’nin 2009 yılında Doğu Ortaklığı Programını devreye sokması Rus uzman ve karar mercilerinin kafasını ciddi anlamda karıştırmıştır. Zira Rus karar mercileri söz konusu programın Sovyetler Birliği’nin dağılmasıyla boşalan sahada Rusya’nın hâkimiyet kurmasına sorun teşkil edip etmeyeceği veya AB ile bölge ülkeleri arasında bir işbirliği platformu oluşturup oluşturamayacağı konusunda hala somut bir sonuca ulaşamamıştır. Konu ile ilgili birçok yanlış anlaşılma ve algılamaya rağmen yazar, Avrupa Birliği, Rusya ve Güney Kafkasya ülkeleri arasında ortak bir işbirliği stratejisinin geliştirilmesi için bir fırsat aralığı oluştuğuna inanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Avrupa Birliği, Doğu Ortaklığı, Rusya, “yumuşak” güç

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