The Concept of Energy Security: Implications of EU-Russia Energy Relations, 2004-2012

This research project presents a novel and fundamental understanding of energy security and threat perceptions by analysing the EU-Russia energy relationship concerning gas supply during the period 2004-2012. The ultimate goal of this thesis is to address the two-fold research question of why differences exist in the threat perceptions and understandings of energy security among member states of the EU, and how they affect EU’s energy stance and its gas relations with Russia. Encountering endemic problems with the coherence of EU energy policy towards Russia, the research focuses on two case studies, those of Poland and Germany, based on identifying their energy interests and identities and the previous patterns of energy interactions with Russia as an explanatory basis for the construction of threat perceptions.