From Rejection To Cooperation—the Eu’Cognition On Russia In The Security Consideration

In this paper, I want to explore the changes of the EU’cognition onRussia, as well as the process from rejection to cooperation in the security field between the European Union and Russia after the Cold War. There were two main factors that affect the European’cognition on Russia. The fear of Russia that had formed in the heart of the Europe for a long time and the needs of the reality of European security to Russia. From the careful analysis of the progress of the cooperation between the EU and Russia in the security field, it is not difficult to find, on the one hand, Europe had formed an cognition that Russia was an "alien"for a long time the fear of Russia contained the cooperation between the EU and Russia, n the other hand,the EU was trying to establish a new European security mechanisms, Russia was a powerful assistant of the development of EU security mechanisms, There was a strong and progressive development of conventional and unconventional military force.These two factors affect the EU’cognition on Russia, Because of the changes of the two factors, there were some new changes in the cooperation between the EU and Russia. This article analyze the cognition changes in the EU and Russia from these two factors as a foothold. Tangled in the fear and need, the European Union compelled by the practical needs, the EU gradually opened its arms to Russia. But at the same time, both sides both knew that the European Union for Russia had been retained. The EU’ cognition on Russia were changing, with the changing in the cooperation between the EU and Russia, Russia gradually became the nice eighbourhood of the EU from the "otherness" of prevention, and more further became a good partner to cooperate limited with. So in the future time, the changes in the European Union’cognition on Russia, depended on the EU’fear and prevention,and the practical needs.It consists of three main stages. During this period from1991to2000, dued to the Cold War had just ended, the shadow of the Cold War can not be dispersed in EU member countries, Russia as the successor of the Soviet Union still had a lot of factors that the EU member countries worried and concerned. In this period, the EU had not yet fully taken into account to construct the new European security mechanism, And because at this period, the US-led NATO completely controlled the EU’cognition on Russia, so the EU saw Russia as an outsider.At this period, there was a lot of lack of the EU military force and security mechanism, and this is precisely the strengths of Russia.But real needs can not overcame the psychological "shadow"that had been formed for a long time.As to EU, Russia was on the marginalized position in Europe, it rejected to cooperate with Russia.The second stage is the period from2001to2004, in the period, the9·11terrorist attacks made the EU recognize that security mechanism in Europe can not do without Russia’s help, especially because the Iraq war, the European Union gradually alienated from the embrace of the United States in order to begin the consideration of Russia’ position in the European security mechanism. However, the first step was the most difficult, The cooperation began, but in the heart of the European Union,it did not completely abandon the prevention of Russia:Whether Russia wanted to control Europe’s security again, whether the history repeated itself. There was no answer to these doubts. But the reality of the situation did not allow the EU to continue to exclude Russia. Therefore, the EU chose a compromise path in the tangle.The EU would construct the security mechanism in Europe with the important help of Russia. In this way, the EU can be assured that develop their own security mechanism by themselves, but did not have to worry about Russia’s excessive participation in European security affairs. The word "helper" could sum the EU’cognition on Russia in the period.The third stage is the period from2005to2010, in this period the European Union began a "limited cooperation" with Russia. Beause of EU enlargement, the Europe’s security situation was more complicated. Confronted with the more complicated security situation of Europe, the EU knew that it lacked the strength, so naturally it turned its attention to Russia. As to the EU, to deepen the cooperation with Russia in the security field is the emergency that can not wait."The package of plans" released successfully. However, Russia was also very critical of EU enlargement.With the" Westernization" measures of the EU, there were a lot of changes that the EU look forward to in Russia. The strength of the military forces and other security areas were on the rise. At the same time, Russia did not take the "hostile" attitude to the EU expanded to its door. In this way, the EU’cognition on Russia had developed from the "helper" to "partner". Although this stage of cooperation between the EU and Russia was still "limited", but apparently the real needs had occupied the key factors that affected the EU’ consideration of Russia.After all, whether the EU’cognition on Russia will occur new changes, it only depends on the facts. But, it is assured that the cooperation between the EU and Russia will go deep in every respect. This is a trend in the history. Faced to the reality, it is the necessary choice of the EU.