Dear colleagues!
On May, 10th, 2005 Russia-EU summit took place in Moscow where “the road maps” on establishment of four common spaces the fields of the Economy, External Security, Freedom, Security and Justice, and Education, Research and Culture were adopted.
Despite of the extremely optimistic estimations of prospects of the Russian-European cooperation stated at the top-level within the format of the common spaces, many experts doubt the opportunity of successful development in this way. It is said that the signed agreement has no legal effect whereas the final purpose of integration of Russia and the European Union is still uncertain.
On the one hand, agreement on "the road maps" may be regarded as a progress in the Russian-European cooperation. However in this case the form prevails over the content. Therefore experts are inclined to regard the given agreement as a successful diplomatic step so that to hide the progress in the development of the Russian-European partnership.
Thus, it is possible to admit that by the present moment the issue on the overall objective and strategy of the Russian-European integration is still open. And the opportunity of achievement of success on the basis of the "the road maps" as main format of cooperation is, at least, polemical.
We are happy to invite you to take part in the discussion of these articles “A Road Map to Nowhere” (author: V. Коnоnеnко, а researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs) and “Second option for Russian-European relations” (author: S. Karaganov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy)
Your comments & ideas concerning these articles will be very valuable and will raise the importance of the discussion