parallels and divergences of integration. divergence & parallels of integration 1.divergent...
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Parallels and Divergences of Integration
Divergence & Parallels of Integration
1. divergent integration: Ukraine and Belarus vis-à-vis EU and CIS
2. Parallels: Belarus-Russian Union State/ EU
reasons divergences & parallels of integration
Belarus-Ukraine
1) divergence in institutional development
- Belarus: amended constitution > referenda increased presidential powers
- Ukraine: 1996 constitution
limited presidential powers
2) divergence in foreign policy orientations
Systematic assessment of institutional definition: Ukraine
Ukraine Institutional Definition & Foreign Policy Initiatives
Org. characteristics EU CIS
1)increased interaction among organisations in the field
Declared intention of becoming (associate) member of EU Institutional definition:- MFA: Department for European Integration, Section for EU Affairs - Verkhovna Rada: Committee on issues of European Integration-now: Vice-Prime Minister for Issues of European Integration (Ribachuk)- National Agency for Development and European Integration
reluctant member of CIS, yet participation in CIS integration process and some subregional initiatives (EvrAzES, CES)Institutional definition:-MFA: NR, no specific departments for CIS-Verkhovna Rada: NR, no specific committees
2) emergence of inter-organisational structures
PCA 1994, into force 1998-Cooperation Council-Cooperation Committee-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee-SubcommitteesENP 2004
Participation in CIS instit. structures: -Council of Heads of States / Governments-Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs, Defence, …)-Interparliamentary Assembly CIS
3) increase in information load
Official documents & speeches:-‘Strategy for the Integration of Ukraine into the European Union’-numerous documents, speeches and reports asserting European ambitions of Ukraine- EU-Ukraine Action plan 2005-2007 (ENP)
Official documents: NR. no specific strategies towards CIS region. Only treaties: Belavezha Treaty (1991), Yalta Charter of GUUAM (1997), Treaty founding Eurasian Economic Community (2000), Pact on Common Economic Space (Sept 2003)
4) development of mutual awareness of being involved in a common enterprise
Intention of becoming member state of EU, initiatives from EU side: Common Strategy, Wider Europe/New Neighbours Initiative (bandwagoning)
NR; Reluctant CIS member, limited participationfounding member of GUUAM(balancing)
NR
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Belarus Institutional Definition & Foreign Policy Initiatives
Org. characteristics EU CIS
1) increased interaction among organisations in the field
Until 1996: developing relations with EU: PCA & temporary trade agreement concludedSince 1996: NRInstitutional definition: - MFA: NR, no specific department for EU integration (Although: Departament Evropy, but this is a department for European Affairs, mainly concerned with bilateral relations with European Countries)
Participation in CIS integration process and most subregional initiatives (EvrAzES, CES, Alma-Aty Declaration)Institutional definition:- MFA: Department for Russia and the Union State, Department for CIS and EvrAzES, Department for countries of CIS- Palata Predstaviteley: permanent commission for international affairs and relations with the CIS
2) emergence of inter-organisational structures
Until 1996: PCA & Interim trade agreement concludedSince 1996: NR ; PCA not ratified, sanctions
Participation in CIS instit. structures: -Council of Heads of States / Governments-Council of Ministers (Foreign Affairs, Defence, …)-Interparliamentary Assembly CISBelarus – Russia Union State: -Supreme State Council-Permanent Committee-Council of Ministers-Parliamentary Assembly,….
3) increase in information load
Official documents & speeches:- ‘The Enlargement of the EU and possible consequences for Belarusian foreign trade interests’- ‘Current Requirements of the EU-Belarus Relation’- ‘On the Relations with the European Union’
Official Documents & publications:- ‘Foreign Policy and economic priorities of Belarus in the light of the Union State with the Russian Federation’- ‘Cooperation in the Framework of the CIS’- ‘The Union State: Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow’, …
4) development of mutual awareness of being involved in a common enterprise
NR Zealous member of CIS, integration efforts with Russia, sees common enterprise as the instalment of neo-Soviet order
Systematic assessment of institutional definition: Belarus
Reasons for disparate integration & institutional development
• History / socio-cultural factors
• Leadership
• Civil Society
• Foreign interest (economic-strategic)
Belarus-Russia Integration
• reasons for mirroring
1. R-B integration: not coincidental (Rontoyanni)
2. capacity supranational structures not stretched strategy of parallel integrative processes
3. political strategic/economic-strategic:
popularity
tool for manoeuvre
political & economic advantages
elections sphere of influence
Belarus-Russia Integration
• Mirroring/parallels of integration:
economic objectives
political discourse
• Effective integration harmonisation of foreign policy
Parallels of integration
• institutional mirroring: natural process
• CIS/EU organisational fields
- Similarity: formal structures & institutions
- Disparity:
a) level of integration
b) reasons for integration ideological-economicpragmatic-economic