The EU—Russia Common Economic Space and the Policy-Taker Problem

Abstract

This chapter delineates the phases and main activities of the negotiation process relating to the Common Economic Space (CES) between the EU and Russia. The Concept and the Road Map of the CES contain an original model in itself, combining elements of the EEA and the ‘Swiss’ models, and uniting horizontal and sectoral approaches. It is questionable whether the model envisaged by these documents would be capable of providing a satisfactory solution to the policy-taker challenge for Russia; that is, fulfilling the obligation to converge unilaterally on EU legislation and to follow the changes in EU legislation while possessing only limited leverage on the EU’s internal affairs. The policy-taker problem may represent a major hurdle to EU–Russian economic integration in view of Russian multilateral foreign policy and its official goals.