EU gas policy transformation in the context of EU-Russia relations - Дипломная работа

EU gas policy transformation in the context of EU-Russia relations Introduction gas policy european The topic of this dissertation is: «EU gas policy transformation in the context of EU-Russia relations». The research actuality of this work consists on the recent transformation of the EU gas policy after the two Ukrainian gas crises of 2006 and 2009. After this, diversification, liberalisation and securitization became the main priorities and goals of the EU gas policy. The EU is trying to find new alternatives to Russian gas in order to reduce its dependence and liberalise the gas market by its own rules and interests through instruments such as the Third Energy Package. The object of this research is the ЕU, while the subject is the transformation of the EU gas policy in the context of relation with Russia. The research question of this work is: to what degree is the transformation of the EU gas policy triggered by Russia? The hypothesis is the follow: the transformation of EU gas policy in the recent past years was triggered mostly by Russia. In the medium term the EU strategy will be focused on the search of new alternative routes to Russia for gas import and attempts in order to liberalize the gas market. These attempts will be used as a method of pressure on Russia in the matters of gas prices. Furthermore, Germanys position is strengthening in the EU and in gas relations with Russia, leading to the division between MSs within the EU. The absence of integrity of EU gas policy in relation with the different interests of MSs shows the weakness of the EU gas policy. The goal of this work is to study the transformation of the EU gas policy in the recent years and to identify the role of Russia and EU-Russia relations in this transformation. The research objectives are: - Analyse applicability and relevance of the Theories of Realism, Liberal Intergovernmentalism and Securitization to the study of the EU gas policy, and examine this policy through the prism of these theories; - Analyse EU gas policy integration and different directions of MSs in shaping EU gas policy by practical case studies; - Examine the transformation of the EU gas policy after the two Ukrainian gas crises taking into account Russia as a triggering factor; - Give some possible scenarios for the future of EU gas policy in the context of relations with Russia. EU gas policy transformation in the context of EU-Russia relations is a very complex and comprehensive topic. In order to best analyse this subject as a whole, it is fundamental to take into account different factors and aspects that compose it. In fact, this topic is characterized by different players at different levels such as the EU as a whole, EU institutions, EU Member States, energy companies, consumers, suppliers, transit countries and so on. Moreover, gas market is a very unique phenomenon due to its regional peculiarity and depends on political pressure and geopolitical developments more than other energy markets. It is evident that there is the necessity to take into account interests, economic interdependence factor, political and geopolitical context. For these reasons, it would be impossible to use only one theory to make a full analysis. This is why in this work are used three different theories: Liberal Intergovernmentalism, Realism and Securitization. Each theory is able to describe one component of this complex and multifactorial topic. The methods used are: analysis, deduction, induction, synthesis, forecasting, case study and event analysis. The research novelty of this work consists of the analysis of the transformation of EU gas policy and Russia as a context factor that has triggered this change. Moreover, the author wants to analyse the integrity of EU gas policy taking into account different case studies in order to outline the different standpoints and interests of MSs using some case studies. Multi-theoretical approach is also a novelty factor. The author tries to give some possible scenarios for the future of EU gas policy in the context of relation with Russia. The sources used for this work are official documents (European Commission-Energy; Internal Energy market-European Parliament; Energy Outlook; Roadmap: EU-Russia energy cooperation until 2050; Green Paper: A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy; European Energy Security Strategy and others); official websites of energy companies and pipelines projects; official speeches; annual and official reports; the works of the main thinkers and authors of Realism, Liberal Intergovernmentalism and the Theory of Securitization. Moreover, there were used works and articles of specialists on the EU gas policy and EU-Russia gas relations like A. Winkworth, A. Arenare, M. Waloszyk, N. Esakova, D. Rechenberger, N. Herweg and some Russian authors like T. Romanova, A. Konopljanik and T. Bordachev. By using these Russian authors for the present work research and analysis, it was given a wi