ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the idea of a potential common economic space from ‘Lisbon to Vladivostok’, that is, between the European Union (EU) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). It outlines the longer history of the integration concept over a pan-European space in order to situate EU–Russian relations in a longer-held set of ideas regarding the achievement of a common space. Applying this to contemporary Europe, the chapter moves to the current challenges facing the EU and EAEU in relation to the deepening of their cooperation with each other, identifying cooperation perspectives and mutual interests. It is argued that there are strong imperatives for these actors to establish deeper economic cooperation with each other if they are to mount effective responses to increasing global competition. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the short- and medium-term steps that will need to be taken in order to enhance such cooperation.
