Lords investigation to examine EU relations with Russia

The causes of the Ukraine crisis and how the EU responded will be one thread in a new investigation by the Committee.

Taking this as its starting point, the inquiry will consider other issues, such as:

• Commercial relations with Russia and to what extent EU economies are dependent on Russia and vice versa;
• Russian ‘sensibilities' and how much the EU takes into account the Russian perspective;
• Corruption and how much it poses a problem to commerce;
• Sanctions and how best to implement them in a strategic way;
• Political and strategic goals of the EU and how they run alongside commercial objectives; and
• EU ‘values' and how they can be respected within the commercial relationship with Russia.

Committee Chairman, Lord Tugendhat, said:

“The relationship between Russia and the EU is both complex and interdependent.

This inquiry will be examining the way in which the EU has handled its relations with Russia and neighbouring countries in the recent past and what should govern those relationships in the future.  It will also examine the many and various links that exist between the EU and Russia, including links in the fields of hydro-carbons, professional services, finance, consumer goods and the food and drink sector.  Trade, business and investment form a significant part of the strategic tool-kit on either side of the relationship, and the Committee will be examining how the EU's policies in these areas tie together with wider foreign policy.

By examining many different links between the EU and Russia, we hope the inquiry will provide answers on what sort of overarching framework should govern the relationship between Russia, the EU and its member states.

The success of our inquiry depends heavily on the expertise of those who get involved, and I welcome contributions from everyone who has experience in this field.”

Written evidence must be received by Friday 24 October 2014.