Search

Begin New Search Topic Economic Integration Political Geography Eastern Europe

1. EU cooperation with non-member neighboring countries: the principle of variable geometry

Author:
Marek Dabrowski
Publication Date:
09-2014
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
In this study the author analyzes the experience of the European Union in cooperation with non-member neighboring countries, to which the EU’s integration process and institutions are both available. On the one hand, several non-member countries are interested in close cooperation or integration with the organization because of their future membership aspirations or simply because they consider the EU an important economic and political partner. On the other hand, the EU itself is also interested in building such close relations, for economic but often also for geopolitical and security reasons.
Topic:
Globalization, European Union, Trade, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus, and Eastern Europe

2. EU-Ukraine DCFTA: the Model for Eastern Partnership Regional Trade Cooperation

Author:
Veronika Movchan and Volodymyr Shportyuk
Publication Date:
10-2012
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
The EU has been one of the largest trade partners for so called Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Commodity turnover of these countries with the EU vary between 30% and 50% of total, but their access to the EU market is less preferential than for many other neighboring countries. They trade with the EU on the basis of MFN regime, and five EaP countries, with exemption of Belarus, use privileges provided by Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) or the GSP+ or autonomous trade preferences (Moldova). With the launch of EaP initiative in 2009, relations between the EU and the Eastern European countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) have received new impetus for development. The EaP offers upgrade of relations within three major dimensions, namely (a) the Association Agreement (AA), (b) Agreement on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), and (c) Visa Facilitation and Readmission agreements. The AA talks have been launched with all EaP countries expect for Belarus, and four of them have been involved in the DCFTA talks. Ukraine has progressed the most, as after five years of negotiations the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement with embedded DCFTA has been initialed in 2012.The aim of this study is to assess gains and losses that could arise from the DCFTA with the EU for the EaP countries, using information about EU-Ukraine DCFTA as model case for EaP regional trade cooperation.The focus of the paper is on non-tariff (regulatory) component of the EU DCFTA and potential implications of regulatory approximation. Also, current level of harmonization of EaP countries’regulatory framework with the EU acquis in the areas related to the DCFTA is analyzed.
Topic:
Globalization, European Union, Regional Integration, Trade, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Ukraine and Eastern Europe

3. Russia's Accession to the WTO: Impacts and Challenges

Author:
Irina Tochitskaya
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
On December 16th, 2011, an 18 year long negotiation process regarding Russia’s WTO membership was finally brought to an end. Undoubtedly, Russia’s WTO accession is an important event both for the global trade system and for the country. With Russia now in the club, the WTO will control over 97 per cent of global trade.
Topic:
Globalization, World Trade Organization, Trade, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Russia, Central Asia, Eurasia, Caucasus, and Eastern Europe

4. Is Free Trade with the EU Good for Ukraine?

Author:
Marek Dabrowski and Svitlana Taran
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
The negotiations on the Association Agreement (AA) between the European Union (EU) and Ukraine, including its trade component, i.e., the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), were completed in December 2011. The agreement is practically ready to be signed, if the EU’s concerns related to the deteriorating political freedoms in Ukraine are addressed. The ball is now in Ukraine’s court and the correct and rapid response is crucial for the country’s future. Both the AA and the DCFTA offer Ukraine an opportunity to deepen its political and economic relations with the EU and modernize its own economy and state institutions. However, if fundamental economic, political, and institutional reforms are not accelerated and conducted in a more comprehensive and consistent way, the prospect of implementing the DCFTA (and its potential benefits) will come under question.
Topic:
Globalization, European Union, Free Trade, Trade, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Europe, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe

5. The new old choice for economic policymakers in Belarus

Author:
Alexander Chubrik
Publication Date:
04-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Center for Social and Economic Research - CASE
Abstract:
In 2011, the Belarusian ruble lost nearly 2/3 of its value. In December, the inflation rate approached 110% yoy. At the same time, the economy grew by 5.3% that year and continued with 3.6% yoy growth in January 2012. Is this a sign of economic recovery? Will it turn into sustainable growth? Or has the country exited from the crisis at all? To address these questions, CASE Fellow and Director of the IPM Research Centre in Minsk Alexander Chubrik looks at the roots of the 2011 crisis and compares them with the features of the long-lasting period of economic growth in Belarus.
Topic:
Globalization, Economic Growth, Inflation, Trade, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe and Belarus