FRIDE Democratisation

Ukraine: lynchpin for european energy security

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

A 2006 dispute between Russia and Ukraine over gas prices cast a sobering shadow over EU energy security and galvanised new European energy initiatives. Energy-related tension between Russia and Ukraine has continued since that time with periodic flare-ups.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's integration challenge

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

On 26 June 2008 FRIDE organised a roundtable on “Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration challenge: From internal consolidation towards EU integration”, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Sven Alkalaj, EU Institute for Security Studies researcher Judy Batt, EU Special Representative advisor Orlando Fusco and BiH’s Centre for Security Studies Director Denis Hadzovic.

Energy: a reinforced obstacle to democracy?

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images

This paper reveals that the opaque management of increased oil and gas revenues has sparked pressure for governance reforms from within producer states and has also encouraged new international initiatives linking energy security with good governance.

Europe's inconsistent support for democratic reform in Ukraine

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Part of a project on EU foreign policy dynamics, this paper seeks to explain why European governments have backed Ukraine's Orange Revolution in an apparently united, but also relatively cautious fashion.

Spain and Equatorial Guinea: a triumph of energy realism?

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

Rodrigo Angue Nguema/AFP/Getty Images

In a period when international condemnation of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s regime has reached new heights, events in another African country with an appalling human rights record have embroiled Spain in accusations related to a now-infamous mercenary plot. In this Comment article Edward Burke explores events leading up to Simon Mann’s detention and the political row that followed.

Bahrain: reaching a Threshold

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

This working paper argues that Bahrain has reached an impasse in its reform process and that King Hamad faces a complex set of decisions as he aims to balance the interests of the royal family while also addressing calls for change.

Energy and Development: lessons from Nigeria

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

Nigeria, and in particular the Niger Delta, have all the components of failed development: deep poverty, corruption and neglect, disenfranchised ethnic minorities, self-serving multinational oil companies, environmental degradation, destruction of livelihoods, gang violence, civil strife, and despair.

The new enhanced agreement between the European Union and Ukraine: Will it further democratic consolidation?

fride — 2008-08-20T16:03:24+01:00

JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images

The New Enhanced Agreement (NEA) will be a comprehensive and cross-pillar agreement introducing a contractual basis for integration, convergence and cooperation in various fields such as political reforms, rule of law, human rights, border management, migration, the Common Foreign and Security Policy and free trade between Ukraine and the EU. But will this new agreement be sufficient to assist Ukraine’s faltering process of democratic consolidation?