Europe’s Fatal Mistake? The European Union Energy Policy since 1990 (Renato G. Flôres Jr.)

Abstract: “The contradictory behaviour of the European Union, simultaneously increasing its dependency on Russian energy supplies while leading a foreign security policy deaf if not hostile to Russian strategic concerns, is discussed. It is argued that, besides the European energy policy, the role of NATO and, in an inseparable way, that of the US, as well as the ambitious evolution of the European integration project, must be considered. At the heart of the contradictory policies lies the unresolved relationship with Russia, since the German reunification. The present net result seems to be a return -in terms of security design- to a post-WWII situation, together with less funds for a smart, alternative-power EU project. Despite doubts on how deep is the popular support to nowadays official behaviour and decisions, overall prospects for the EU are gloomy.”

Keywords: energy policy, European Union (EU), EU enlargement, NATO, policy conundrum, SACEUR, Russia, United States (US)

  Europe’s Fatal Mistake? The European Union Energy Policy since 1990

About the author
Renato G. Flôres Jr. is Head of the International Intelligence Unit of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV IIU) | renato.flores@fgv.br