Images of Europe and European Values: Surveys of the Russian Elite Valeria Kasamara

2 Main goal of our research Reconstruction the EU image trough the eyes of Russian political elite

3 Main Points Crisis in Georgia in August 2008 EU Energy Security Democracy and Rule of Law Visas and illegal Immigration Potential EU enlargements Economic Issues

4 Preliminary survey We has conducted 50 expert interviews with representatives of Russian political elite: - Members of The State Duma; - Members of The Federation Council; - Russian political scientist. The result of this preliminary survey will help us to develop a sampling strategy that ensures that future data collection is conducted in a valid and reliable manner.

5 Crisis in Georgia (1) The EU fully supported Georgia.

6 Crisis in Georgia (2) The status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will be a long term problem in EU-Russian relations.

7 EU Energy Security (1) Russia is the EU’s most stable and valuable partner in the energy area.

8 EU Energy Security (2) The EU does not trust Russia and is likely to launch alternative energy project, even if they are more expensive.

9 EU Energy Security (3) Russia’s use of energy as a weapon against its neighbors should also be seen as a warning to the EU.

10 Democracy and Rule of Law (1) The EU should not impose conditions on Russia in the area of democracy, rule of law and human rights, taking into consideration the particularities of Russian society.

11 Democracy and Rule of Law (2) The EU should not concern itself with political judicial and social developments in Russia and should only concentrate on the economic aspects of cooperation.

12 Visas and illegal Immigration Abolishing visas will represent a significant step in removing prejudices and suspicion between the EU and Russia.

13 EU and Russia clashes over history (1) The EU does not fully acknowledge the USSR’s role in liberating Europe from Nazi Germany.

14 EU and Russia clashes over history (2) The EU and Russia should develop a shared historical vision of the events of the WWII history particularly with regards to memorials and veterans.

15 Potential EU enlargements (1) The EU does not consider Russian interests and opinion when discussing the intentions of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to join the EU.

16 Potential EU enlargements (2) Each country has the right to join any organization or alliance it wishes and therefore Russian cannot impose its will on EU enlargement plans.

17 Potential EU enlargements (3) Confrontation with Russia is inventible if the EU pursue Eastern enlargement without its agreement.

18 Economic Issues (1) Russia is strong enough on its own and does not need any international partners to modernize its economy.

19 Economic Issues (2) The international financial crisis will have a smaller impact on Russia than on the rest of the world.

20 Summary Russian political elite has contradictory views with regard to EU. They can not decide what Russia wants EU to be: - Weak or Strong? - Safe partner or dependent on Russian import energy Player? - Efficient union or Unconsolidated agent?

21 Summary But concerning one point there is a consensus: Russia needs a good relationship with EU member countries

Thank you for your attention! I hope you have a good day!