The Bilateral Relations of the Benelux Countries with Russia: Between Rhetorical EU Engagement and Competitive Business Interests

This article explores the willingness of the Benelux countries to co-ordinate Russia-related policies at the EU level, contrasting their traditional pro-integrationist disposition and national economic interests.

At the rhetorical level all three states display a willingness to co-ordinate policies within the EU. In practice, however, this is dependent on the individual country's economic interests, with energy being of particular importance in Dutch–Russian relations. There appears to be considerable inter-state competition in obtaining lucrative commercial contracts, undermining a coherent EU approach towards Russia.

The traditional sources of influence of small states in the EU are limited in the case of the Benelux and Russia. With their traditional pro-integrationist attitudes having undergone substantial change, the Benelux states lack the leadership and the credibility to be seen as impartial brokers of a coalition for a coherent Russia strategy. Ad hoc coalitions on the basis of converging economic interests appear to be more determining for the co-ordination of Russia policies within the EU.