In person icon Eastern Neighbours: EU Perceptions in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood and Russia

Abstract

After the end of the Cold War Europe was expecting a period of peace within its own borders and in its neighbourhood. Several conflicts and wars inter alia in the South Caucasus however made it soon clear that this had been a misbelief. While these conflicts and wars could still be found to be a regional problem the war between Georgia and Russia led to a different conception in the now enlarged European Union. Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity finally means a return of war to Europe which cannot any longer be ignored. Relations between Ukraine, Russia and the EU have underwent a dramatic development that influence all the relations between countries of the Eastern Partnership, the EU and Russia. The understanding of mutual perceptions – the focus of the panel -- is the basis for communication and cooperation. This holds true both for individuals, civil society organisations as well as for states. Internal and external perceptions rarely conform. The panel will address the gap between internal and external perceptions and examine how related prejudices and reservations strongly influence the activities of individuals, organisations and states. The panel will discuss how a study of mutual perceptions may help to avoid a further worsening of current developments and to achieve a better understanding of each other in future long run consolidated bi- and multilateral cooperation between the various parties. Diverse theoretical models and empirical methods will inform contributions to this panel.

Title	Details
Asymmetric relations: chance or challenge?	View Paper Details
Images of the EU and perceptions of its policies in the Eastern Neighbourhood: the case of the South Caucasus	View Paper Details
A guiding light or a handy political tool? The perception of European integration in the East European neighborhood	View Paper Details
The European Union as a Normative Power, Security Provider or an Alternative Pole of Attraction: A View from the Eastern Neighbourhood	View Paper Details