The emergence of new political formats is usually accompanied by mistrust of the critically minded expert community. However, the emergence of the Russia-Azerbaijan–Iran bloc spanning the western coast of the Caspian Sea could become a powerful impetus for the interpenetration of the three countries’ economies and for institutionalizing political dialog. Are the summit participants themselves interested in such a development, and if so, then under what conditions?
On August 8, 2016 in...
... have incurred losses as a result of restrictive measures, they diverge on the conditions of relaunching economic relations, on the feasibility of technical cooperation in the absence of political convergence, and on what EU – Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) cooperation could look like. While the EU and Russia feel the need to cooperate on a settlement in Ukraine, on stabilisation in the Middle East, on the fight against terrorism, they diverge over what should be done, over whether human rights / democracy ...
... Russia’s desire to be an equal partner for the key world actors cannot be implemented without ensuring a loyal and friendly geopolitical environment. One of the measures to form such an environment is the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Today, however, given the economic instability and escalating external threats, this institution requires greater attention and work on a future-oriented strategy. This article discusses the current possibilities that Russian diplomacy could use ...
... concerned should approach the common problem of terrorism in Central Asia, as well as and in Afghanistan and Pakistan, very seriously, yet without interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
How real is the threat posed by Afghanistan for the EEU, given the fact that the borders with Kyrgyzstan are now open?
The threat is very real. Some believe that Russia exaggerates this threat, because it is trying to strengthen its presence in the region and pull the Central Asian states back under its ...
... integration appears to be pushing forward. On May 31, the leaders of 5 countries met in Astana, Kazakhstan for a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council. Their objective was to lay out of the plans for the future of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). However, the reality is that the EEU is also facing a series of crises, which are largely internal. These include the decline of the Union’s original economic rationale and bilateral disagreements between member states. Further efforts to ...
The President of the Russian Federation’s recent
visit
to China was one of the most successful Russia–China top-level meetings in terms of practical content. The visit was also notable for the unusually high level of thinly disguised anti-American rhetoric on both sides and the adoption of an important joint political statement that may make a difference to Moscow and Beijing’s dialogue with the United States on strategic matters.
In addition, the text of the joint Russia–China...
The meeting of the heads of states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states has been gaining momentum in recent years as a regional – and indeed global – discussion platform. This is testament to the growing potential and credibility of the organization. In the rapidly changing global environment, and amidst new challenges and threats, it is imperative that the SCO develop a coordinated position on the key issues of security and international development, not only so that it can determine...
On 30-31 May 2016 the RIAC held a major international conference entitled “
Russia and China: towards a new quality in bilateral relations
”.
The conference discussed various aspects of the two countries’ relationship, and also the regional dimension of cooperation between Russia and China. There was a special focus on processes of integration in the Eurasian area.
The RIAC editorial team have asked foreign experts about the competition between Russian and Chinese integration initiatives...
This year will see the 25th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s breakup and the emergence of new Russia on its ruins. Time is ripe for taking stocks and mapping a road into the future.
A group of members of Russia’s Council on Defense and Foreign Policy (CDFP) has presented to the state and society its vision of the country’s future foreign policy. We believe that resuming a creative foreign policy discussion will be useful. Amidst massive worldwide propaganda it is easy to fall into...
The EEU is carrying on with its day-to-day work to tune up the mechanisms of economic integration
The Eurasian Economic Union – today’s framework for the processes of Eurasian integration – has graduated from a period of upbeat progress ...
