Europeanization of Gas Sector in Georgia: towards Integration?

Abstract

Th e thesis explores the mechanisms and outcomes of the Europeanization process in Georgia's gas sector. The chosen approach treats Europeanization as a multi level process where the extent of the changing capacity of the supranational institutional mechanism s varies according to the contextual setting and intervening domestic factors. Through qualitative doc ument analysis of the Energy Community, AA/DCFTA and Georgian domestic legal and regulatory frameworks, first it shows that Europeanization mechanisms ope rate through complementing positive policy prescriptions with the means of adjustment to domestic oppo rtunity structure. Second, when analyzing outcomes of Europeanization, it demonstrates how gas policy harmonization, being restricted by vertical contract ual relationships, creates preconditions for the divergence in sectoral integration. Third, based on t he research findings on mechanisms and outcomes, it places the given case study in the debates on the nature of the EU external energy governance, arguing that in its horizontal operative space, it resembles network governance.