Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

In many texts of international relations, the concept of security is generally considered as the ability to counter the threats of armed attacks. Meanwhile, the scarcity of energy sources has been among the most significant causes of conflicts in the 20^th century. Countries have their own and of course different definitions and perceptions of energy security. For example, in developed countries energy security is defined based on the accessibility and sufficient supply with proper and reasonable prices, while exporting countries regard energy security as the security of demand and an increase of energy prices.
In this article, focusing on energy security as our theoretical framework, we will examine the EU-Russian relations in the energy area. Although as an energy exporting country Russia has the upper hand before the EU, which is heavily dependent on importing energy, both sides’ perceptions of energy security have shown that these two actors are dependent on each other at the same level. This type of reliance has created a situation in which they are to have close politico-economic relations.

Keywords

• energy security
• Russia
• The European Union and Energy Export