Messages in the Media - University of Toronto

- Finally, the question of energy has remained a difficult
one. Russia places a huge emphasis on energy trade, as
that is a significant source of its income. In January Russia
announced that it planned to buy even more gas, than it
already did, from Azerbaijan in order to ensure the success
of the South Stream project and to prevent Europe
from accessing alternative sources of energy. 39 In response,
the EU denied South Stream a special status that
would exempt third parties from using the pipeline – a
status that Nabucco, for example, was granted. 40 Meanwhile,
Russia criticized the EU’s decision to conduct
three-way negotiations with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
regarding the Trans-Caspian pipeline project. 41 Moscow
asserted that this decision was made without taking
into account the existing geopolitical and legal situation
in the Caspian basin. At the same time, both sides realize
that energy is a sphere in which they will have to find a
way to cooperate, and thus are in the process of discussing
a roadmap on gas relations lasting until 2050. 42
2011 IN REVIEW:
The Russian opinion of the EU is divided among the
Russian government and conservative layers of society,
and liberal citizens and intellectuals. The latter’s view is
much less sceptical and more positive. In addition, the two
factions base their judgement on different issues: those
who oppose the EU see it as politically weak, yet attempting
to impose its hypocritical views and practices on the
world; meanwhile, those who support the EU, stress its
promotion of human rights and civil liberties, especially
when compared with Russia.
The EU has little credibility in the eyes of many, because
it is seen as a weak coalition that has no military
might and cannot reach a political consensus. This is why
Russia prefers to deal with EU countries on a bilateral basis;
it sees it as more convenient and according to its habits.
The Russian government does not fully understand the
workings of the EU bureaucracy, and it is convinced that
the EU does not understand the workings of the Russian
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