Прагматичное взаимодействие Иркутской области и регионов стран Европейского Союза: опыт и реалии

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify the features of interaction between the Irkutsk Oblast of the Russian Federation and the regions of the European Union states. On the basis of customs statistics, analysis of materials of regional mass media, analytical literature, the dynamics of cooperation at the subnational level is considered, macro-stages are identified. The influence of the processes of world politics on the international connections of the regions is analyzed. The activity of the governors of the Irkutsk Oblast - S.G. Levchenko and I.I. Kobzev on the European direction is highlighted. It is noted thatthe international activity of the regional government is becoming an element of the intraregional agenda and party struggle. It is concluded that the government and business of the Irkutsk Oblast saw international contacts with European partners as an additional image resource for the development of the region, and the European bureaucracy considered the possibility of implementing projects in a remote region of Siberia as a resource for increasing “normative efficiency”, spreading norms and values, expanding the sphere of influence. There is a negative impact of mutual sanctions policy, the dependence of regional authorities on the foreign economic policy of large vertically integrated holdings. The humanitarian vector of interaction between the Irkutsk Oblast and the regions of the European Union countries continues to be implemented, but without intensive development - the already established contacts through twin cities and university ties are mainly maintained.