Integration of Russia into the European research area

Abstract

© 2020 Institute of Europe Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. The experience and prospects of Russia's participation in the European research area are of particular interest in the context of the analysis of international research, technology and innovation (RTI) cooperation of the Russian Federation as a whole. It is especially necessary while developing various models of regional RTI integrations with Russia, taking into account new global and national challenges. Despite the general positive trend, there has been a decrease in the level of scientific cooperation between the Russian Federation and the EU over the past five years. The purpose of this article is to analyze and systematize modern policies and mechanisms of the RTI cooperation between the Russian Federation and the EU. Various schemes and mechanisms of multilateral, bilateral and unilateral levels are considered, depending on the composition and number of participating countries, and comparing top-down and bottom-up approaches. The authors conclude that in the process of integrating the Russian Federation into the European research area, the "top-down" approach dominates with the State playing the decisive role. This approach has proved its effectiveness allowing the formation of well-established procedures and mechanisms for interaction with a wide range of European actors, on a multilateral, bilateral and unilateral basis, the use of public financing tools, and focusing on global and national challenges. For further improvement and strengthening of the Russia-EU RTI ties, the parties should pay more attention to the "bottom-up" approach which presumes the development of various forms of scientific diplomacy, and other mechanisms for promoting civilian interaction on issues of science, education, cross-border mobility, etc.