Analytics
EUREN Brief 3
C
Connectivity:
Different visions and approaches – areas for selective cooperation
Different visions and approaches – areas for selective cooperation
Connectivity is about the creation of physical
infrastructure links, the accompanying harmonization of regulations, and the socio-cultural linkages
that emerge in the process. In terms of infrastructure development and harmonization of the
accompanying regulation, connectivity covers transport (via land, air and sea), energy networks, as
well as digital networks, which are becoming increasingly important. In a nutshell, connectivity
encompasses both hard and soft aspects that together define the ability to engage in the trade of
goods and services.
Connectivity has moved to the forefront of the discussion over the last
five years in a rapidly changing world that is marked by economic growth shifting to Asia (60% of
GDP growth is now coming from there). There is a more fractured global picture as a result, with
more and more economic centres competing against each other and trying to set new norms.
EU-Russian
trade remains strong; up until now, the EU has been Russia's largest trade partner. Despite these
strong economic ties, connectivity is gaining importance in EU-Russia relations. This is due to two
factors. On the one hand, the EU is an established "regulatory power" and sees itself as a
frontrunner in the process of establishing new rules and standards, including connectivity-related
issues, such as transport and digital networks; while on the other, Russia is part of the Eurasian
Economic Union, which is defining its own standards and regulations. The two sides are not able to
work on the harmonization of standards because they disagree about the right approach: The Eurasian
Economic Union claims that political-level contacts with the EU are necessary to underpin the
technical work on common standards. The EU would be ready to start the technical work immediately,
but has excluded political level contact until a solution to the Ukraine crisis has been found.
Despite
these disagreements, there are a number of overarching interests that would justify closer
cooperation on connectivity between Russia and the EU in selected areas. Such an interest was
formulated in the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in
2016, when all participating states, including every member of the Eurasian Economic Union and the
European Union, recognized connectivity as being a contributor to economic cooperation,
good-neighbourly relations, and trust. They underlined the positive effect of harmonizing,
simplifying and streamlining norms and procedures that are related to trade and transport, and
pledged to pursue a dialogue about regional and sub-regional economic cooperation.[1]
May 2019
The most successful example is the EU internal
market with its free flow of people, goods, services and capital.
Different connectivity projects
There are, however, several strategic movements
and projects in Eurasia that are based on the connectivity concept. The most successful example is
the EU internal market with its free flow of people, goods, services and capital. The EU High
Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission,
Federica Mogherini, and EU Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, presented the EU's vision for a
new and comprehensive strategy to improve connectivity between Europe and Asia in September 2018.[2]
China realizes its idea of connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which
is backed by the US$40 billion Silk Road Fund and the US$100 billion Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank (AIIB). This aims to link China and Europe through Central and Western Asia. It will also
connect China with South and Southeast Asian countries. This mega initiative includes many small
infrastructural connectivity projects between Asia and Europe.
Russia is developing its own
connectivity project: the Eurasian Economic Union with a common tax area, common markets for goods
and energy, common rules for business and social activities, as well as common rules and
regulations.
The Russian integration and connectivity project unfolds against a specific
historical background. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Council for Mutual Economic
Assistance (CMEA) in 1991, Russians have seen the disintegration of shared transportation and energy
infrastructure systems in both Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This process continues even today in
the disintegration of energy grids and Russia's attempts to avoid and replace certain energy transit
routes through the Baltic States, Ukraine, and the Balkans. This impacts negatively on attitudes
towards connectivity, not only in Russia but also in neighbouring countries, and undermines mutual
trust. Nonetheless, Russia wishes to participate in the creation of a broader Eurasian economic
space by using its infrastructure development advantage, its resources and high quality of labour,
as well as the commitment to regional security and sustainable development it has announced.
«oth the EU and Russia have subscribed to promoting connectivity in the OSCE framework. It
is important to note, however, that their approaches to connectivity do differ significantly.
Russia, like the other post-Soviet states, mainly associates connectivity with the development of
transport infrastructures, while the EU applies a broad definition that is in line with the OSCE
approach. There are also important political obstacles to this cooperation. Russia is very concerned
about ensuring its sovereignty and national security, and this limits the areas in which it is ready
to cooperate, including connectivity. Mutual sanctions have proved another major impediment since
2014. Moreover, Russia has been taking steps to ensure its self-sufficiency, renationalize the
economy and strengthen protectionism in reaction to the Western sanctions. These differences need to
be taken into account when EU-Russia cooperation on connectivity is discussed.
Transport connectivity is one of the fields where
the EU and Russia have an obvious interest in closer cooperation