Hybrid Cooperation: How could the EU still engage with Russia in times of continuing confrontation?

This public event was organised by the Clingendael Institute and the Netherlands Society for International Affairs (NGIZ). 

During this event, the report 'Selective engagement between the EU and Russia' published by the EU-Russia Experts Network (EUREN) was presented.

This report is the outcome of a series of debates between think tank experts from the EU and Russia and its conclusions and recommendations will be presented by two of its active participants, Clingendael Associate Fellow Tony van der Togt and Dr. Tatiana Romanova, Assistant Professor, St. Petersburg State University and Head of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence.

The presentations were followed by a discussion moderated by Prof. André Gerrits, professor of International Studies and Global Politics at Leiden University.

The EU-sponsored dialogue between experts of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and think tanks from EU member states has tried to envisage realistic options for selective engagement, which could be acceptable for both sides, even as the present confrontation (especially in the contested neighbourhood) remains unresolved. The basic idea is to keep channels of communication open and prevent further estrangement and undermining of trust. For the longer term, it keeps the options open for building “islands of cooperation”.

The EUREN report will be available shortly. In due course, a link to the report will be provided to those who have registered for this event. The text of the interim version of this report, dated August 2018, can be found here.