International Workshop: Eurasia – Going East or West?

2015-2016 A3 Call for Papers Workshop
Eastern Partnership Summit – Riga 2015, EEAS, CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0

The University of Edinburgh
EDINBURGH EUROPA RESEARCH GROUP

Event Organisers: Anthony Salamone and Nataliya Muzyka

The Edinburgh Europa Research Group is pleased to invite you to a one-day international postgraduate workshop exploring the (geo)political challenges facing the Eurasian post-Soviet space:

EURASIA – GOING EAST OR WEST?

Friday 10 June 2016

The University of Edinburgh · George Square Campus

Registration: eurasia2016.eventbrite.co.uk

Keynote Speaker

Prof Christoph Bluth FRHistS
Professor of International Relations and Security
University of Bradford

Workshop Theme

This upcoming December will mark the 25th anniversary of the dissolution of the USSR. The Eurasian post-Soviet space (including the Baltic States, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan and others) has undergone dramatic political and economic change in the intervening quarter century.

At the same time, the trajectories of the different countries within the space have varied tremendously – with the Baltic States eventually joining the European Union, Georgia engaged in protracted disputes with Russia, and Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan developing their natural resources.

One of the major geopolitical considerations impacting upon their trajectories has been the countries’ orientation towards the West (the EU and the US) or the East (Russia or, increasingly, China). More recently, Ukraine has become a political and military battleground in the conflict between these opposing directions. This workshop explores these highly topical contrasts and challenges.

Workshop Programme

VENUE: David Hume Tower – Room LG.09 (George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JX)

8.30 – 9.00
Registration

9.00 – 9.15
Welcome (Anthony Salamone and Nataliya Muzyka)

9.15 – 11.15
Panel 1 – Chair: Anthony Salamone – PhD Candidate in Politics (University of Edinburgh)
Discussant: Dr Helen Hardman – Lecturer in Transformation and European Integration (University of Glasgow)

  • Beyond European Union Membership: The Rule of Law in the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
    Iryna Dyvoniak (University of Murcia)
  • Does Competition with Russia Hinder the EU’s Ability to Influence Eastern Europe? An Analysis of the Post-Soviet Transition in Ukraine Since 1991
    Nataliya Muzyka (University of Edinburgh)
  • A Tug of War Between Georgia and Russia: Why Did the OSCE Mission to Georgia and the UN Observer Mission in Georgia Fail to Prevent the 2008 War?
    Shu Uchida (University of Osaka)

11.15 – 11.30
Break for Tea/Coffee

11.30 – 13.30
Panel 2 – Chair: Nataliya Muzyka – PhD Candidate in Politics (University of Edinburgh)
Discussant: Dr Alexander Marshall – Senior Lecturer in History (University of Glasgow)

  • Varieties of Regionalisms in Eurasia: The Geopolitics of Development Initiatives in the Caspian and Central Asia
    Elham Gharji (University of Coimbra)
  • International and Transgovernmental Anti-Drug Law Enforcement Cooperation Along the Northern Trafficking Route
    Alexandra Kulagina (University of Edinburgh)
  • Competition for Energy Resources in the Caspian Region: The New Great Game or the New Silk Road?
    Serik Orazgaliyev (University of Cambridge)

13.30 – 14.30
Lunch

14.30 – 16.30
Panel 3 – Chair: Anthony Salamone – PhD Candidate in Politics (University of Edinburgh)
Discussant: Dr Ammon Cheskin – Lecturer in Nationalism and Identity (University of Glasgow)

  • ‘Soft’ Determinants and Hard Stances: The Role of Religion, Diasporas and Aid in the Post-Soviet Space
    Noemi Rocca (University of Coimbra)
  • The ASAN Service as an Island of Excellence: Can It Ensure a Successful Development Path for Azerbaijan?
    Murad Muradov
  • Compromising on Values? Competing Interests and Human Rights Promotion of the European Union in Third Countries
    Karina Shyrokykh (University of Munich)

16.30 – 16.45
Break for Tea/Coffee

VENUE: Old College Lecture Theatre 183 (South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL)

17.00 – 18.30
Keynote – Prof Christoph Bluth (University of Bradford)
Eurasia: Facing the Geopolitical Challenge

18.30 – 19.30
Reception

Event Information

This event is free and open – all are welcome. Registration in advance is required.

Tea/coffee and lunch will be provided for those registered for the workshop.

Attendees may opt to register for the full workshop or just the lecture/reception.

Contact address for queries: europaresearchgroup@ed.ac.uk

Europa Institute and Social and Political Science Logo

 

This workshop is supported by the Edinburgh Europa Institute and the Graduate School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh.

Shortlink: edin.ac/1r0oj26