Russia Joins Asia-Europe Meeting: A New Round of the EU-Russia Economic Relations
Olga Gulyaeva

Abstract
This research addresses the problem of the economic, political and social place of the European Union (EU) for Russia at Russia’s debut at Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). This research suggests that Russia’s prime interest in participation at ASEM is in its desire to increase its political, economic and social relations with the EU. While Russia has the leading position as the natural resources’ superpower, the EU presents the largest market of oil and gas consumption. ASEM is an opportunity for Russia to improve its economic relations with the EU as well as to maintain its presence in the European region. The empirical section of this paper presents the main results of interviews with Russian business, social and political representatives, who seem to accept the notion of Russia to improve its economic relations with the EU at ASEM.

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