Mind the Gap! The Perspectives of EU-RF Cross-Border Cooperation Christer Pursiainen & Marina Cherkovets Russian-European Centre for Economic Policy, Moscow Presentation at the “RUSSIA’S EUROPEAN CHOICE?” CONFERENCE Helsinki, 12th November 2004 Finnish Institute of International Affairs

Two models Traditional state-centric model Postmodernist model

Traditional state-centric model State defends its autonomy Border as a barrier

Postmodernist model Globalization & regionalisation Transnational regionalisation Border as a contact point

Cooperation and conflict In a post-modernist model both cooperation and conflict Cooperation: beside states, other actors (regions and local administrations, businesses, civil societies) act independently in the field of economy, politics, culture etc. Conflict: soft security (socio-economic problems, environmental problems, infectious deceases, organized crime etc.) In a state-centric model both cooperation (economic, cultural etc.) and conflict (military security)

EU-RF border The question: what is the trend? Towards “inter-state EU-RF border” (barrier)? Towards “post-modernist border (contact point)?

The EU-RF border as a barrier

Socio-economic dividing line

2001 Human Development Index for countries and regions located in the EU-RF cross-border area

The EU-RF border as a barrier Socio-economic dividing line Shengen border Visa practices Bureaucratic practices Protectionism Problems in general EU-RF relations Russia’s centralization Soft security threats as a source of conflict

The EU-RF border as a contact point

The factors enhancing the contact function Growing transregional trade Growing tourism and personal cross-border contacts Growing transnational NGO activities The idea of four EU-RF “common spaces” (CEES, internal security, external security; culture, science and education) The EU’s and other organizations’ (NCM, AC, BEAC) regional programmes (INTERREG etc.) Soft security threats as a source of cooperation

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