Portuguese and Spanish Relations with Moscow: Contributions from the EU's Periphery to the CFSP

Abstract

Both Portugal and Spain are commonly perceived as secondary actors regarding the shaping of the EU's eastern policies, due to several factors, including geographical distance and both countries' colonial past. This article enquires about this common perception, arguing that although there has been some division of labour among EU member states regarding Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) areas, namely through the exercise of EU presidencies, both countries sponsor a more universal view of their foreign policy, which has led them to engage with Russia, both through the EU and on a bilateral basis. The paper surveys the main areas of this engagement, identifying key factors shaping bilateral relations with Russia and major policy areas where interaction has developed. Finally, the paper assesses the impact of Spanish and Portuguese foreign policy choices on EU common policy towards Moscow, arguing that a central aspect limiting the scope of their input is the nature of relations among EU member states, more than the lack of historical and proximity relations.