Mechanisms of Russia-EU Environmental Cooperation: Analysis of Existing Practices and Strategic Vision

This paper analyses the experience of cooperation between Russia and the European Union in the field of environment and formulates the concept of a strategic vision for the development of bilateral relations in the selected domain. The paper explores the history of cooperation between Russia and the European Union in the selected area, describes the existing implementation mechanisms, and analyses projects in detail. The key tools of analysis are cluster and factor analysis. The proposed concept describes a general vision of the environmental cooperation and the relevance of this study at the current stage of development of bilateral relations, describes the benefits for each party and articulates the common interests of the two parties in the development of this type of cooperation, captures the key risks that may impede the implementation of the strategy, and also respective risk-management options. The core of this concept is a roadmap for implementing projects in the field of the environment based on the previously conducted analysis. It is expected that the implementation of these initiatives will help to intensify bilateral relations in the field of the environment and create a comprehensive mechanism for their monitoring and analysis. The key expected outcome is the spill-over of functional cooperation onto the related industrial and economic areas in consequence to the implementation of environmental projects what will later become a positive step in the development of bilateral relations between Russia and the EU. Keyword: environment, cross-border cooperation, Russia, European Union, strategy, cooperation