Fighting for Eurasia

The study examines the representation of scientific research outcomes from member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) within the Russian scientific database eLIBRARY.RU in the field of economics and economic sciences. Methods of scientometric and bibliometric analysis were employed to analyze metadata from over 12 publications available in the scientific databases eLIBRARY.RU, Scopus, and Crossref. Recommendations have been formulated for the overall development of the Russian Federation and, specifically, for the eLIBRARY.RU platform as a center for scientific and technical cooperation among EAEU member countries. The results show that among the authors registered on the platform from the EAEU countries (other than the Russian Federation), the share of authors-economists from Belarus is higher than from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Armenia, however, it is generally small. The authors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia have a similar distribution of average values in terms of published materials, however, unlike Belarus, there are almost no registered economic authors with a significant number of publications in these countries. A significant absence of previously published works, archival data and an extremely small number of indexed economic scientific peer-reviewed publications from the EAEU member states were also revealed on the platform. None of the journals of Russia’s EAEU counterpart countries presented on the eLIBRARY.RU, is not included in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission, the core of the RSCI, Web of Science or Scopus. In addition, it was determined that in the EAEU countries there is a wide range of thematic areas of economic and interdisciplinary research covering education, digital technologies, agriculture and other areas. Among them there are general thematic areas that unite science in the EAEU countries, including globalization, digital transformation, agriculture, sustainable development, innovation, education and others. Based on the results obtained, the team of authors formed recommendations for the development of the Russian Federation as a whole, and the eLIBRARY. RU, in particular, as a center for scientific and technical cooperation of the EAEU member states.

ЕАБР Специальный доклад 2018. Внешнеторговые операции стран – участниц ЕАЭС: Тенденции и потенциальные точки роста (EDB Special report 2018. Foreign Trade Operations of the Eurasian Economic Union Member Countries: Trends and Potential Growth Areas)

The subject of the researchis the current difficulties faced by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The purpose of the research was to identify factors that impede the export of the EAEU goods to third countries and affect Russia’s export competitiveness. To this end, an analysis of the EAEU customs and legal regulations was carried out. The study provides reasons necessitating the abolishment of the residency principle in the EAEU as geographically limiting the ability of the declarant to submit a goods declaration to any customs authority in a customs territory of the customs union. The paper addresses problems related to the lack of harmonization of rules governing export and currency controls in the EAEU member countries. A comparative analysis of the rules regulating the goods exports at the national level of the customs union members was performed and the main differences were revealed.It is concludedthat the principle of residency is the key factor affecting the export competitiveness of the Russian and EAEU goods. Its abolishment requires a comprehensive approach and a number of measures aimed at harmonizing the customs legislation and related laws. The abolishment of the residency principle will reduce the material and time expenditures of businessmen in preparation of customs declarations, eliminate multiple VAT payments to participants of value chains and agency transactions within the EAEU, unify documents for performance of currency control as well as the procedure for granting export control licenses, resolve the issue of the procedure and currency of customs payments, etc. It is also required to solve industry-specific problems related to the implementation of the customs process (currency control, export control, procedures for refunding the value-added tax, etc.).The relevance of the researchlies in the fact that the implementation of the “EAEU Goods” Concept, developed by the Eurasian Economic Commission, requires solution of problems arising in the mutual and foreign trade. Meanwhile, expanding the trade with third countries is one of the main tools for the growth of national economies of the EAEU members.

한ㆍ유라시아경제연합(EAEU) 산업협력 증진방안 (A New Framework for Industrial Cooperation between Korea and the EAEU)

The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will strengthen cooperation despite external pressure. This is also confirmed by the issues discussed at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of the EAEU held in February 2022 in Nur-Sultan, where it was determined that the countries included in the Council will develop a common market for the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and labor. All the EAEU member states continue to make necessary decisions for the development of trade, economic and humanitarian relations, improving the quality of life and wellbeing of citizens of their citizens. The article contains the results of scientific and applied research carried out using the methods of logical, systematic, comparative, economic and statistical analysis. The most important directions of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan, the economies of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and third countries are revealed, which have a significant impact on the development of integration processes of the EAEU, and to identify promising areas of cooperation in key sectors of the two largest economies. The dynamics of the openness of the economy of Kazakhstan over the past 20 years is considered. The contribution of Eurasian integration to the economic growth of Russia and Kazakhstan is assessed. The authors suggest possible promising areas of cooperation in key industries that contribute to strengthening economic relations between Russia and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the macroeconomic determinants of poverty in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), focusing on how inflation and other variables, including unemployment, GDP growth, government social spending, political stability, and energy intensity, influence poverty rates. The research covers a 15-year period, utilizing data from 2009 to 2023 across the five EEU member countries: Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Russia. Data for this study was sourced from reputable institutions, including the National Statistics Bureaus of EEU countries, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). To perform this analysis, the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) method was applied using STATA software. The results indicate that inflation and unemployment have significant positive impacts on poverty, aligning with established economic theories such as the Purchasing Power Theory and Labor Market Theory. However, GDP growth, government social spending, political stability, and energy intensity are not statistically significant, suggesting structural and institutional factors may moderate their effects on poverty in the EEU. These findings partially align with previous studies, while highlighting the need for targeted policies to address inflation and unemployment as critical drivers of poverty. This study contributes to existing literature in two key ways. First, it focuses on poverty dynamics within the unique economic and institutional context of the EEU, a region that has received limited empirical attention. Second, it incorporates under explored variables, such as political stability and energy intensity, alongside traditional determinants like inflation and GDP growth, to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Amid geopolitical tensions and the disruption to established supply chains, traditional transport links are undergoing significant transformation. In this context, the importance of certain international transport corridors (ITCs) in Eurasia is growing, although they sometimes compete with each other on certain routes. This paper aims to identify and comprehensively examine the challenges and prospects of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states’ participation in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). The research reveals that key obstacles to the intensified involvement of EAEU countries in the corridor include infrastructure bottlenecks, the elimination of which requires significant capital investment, the lack of direct access to the route (as in the case of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan), and the high cost of transportation via the corridor. At the same time, the route holds considerable potential in terms of diversifying transport links of the EAEU member states; increasing trade volumes with partner countries along the corridor (both those directly located on the route and those ‘gravitating’ towards it); unlocking transit potential (mainly for Russia and Kazakhstan) and strengthening the transport sovereignty of the EAEU countries (particularly for Russia and Belarus). Moreover, the development of the corridor can significantly enhance regional transport connectivity. It is assumed that if the corridor is successfully developed and the quality of transport and logistics services along its routes improves, it will be possible to reduce the logistics costs for foreign trade participants, boost exports of goods and transport-logistics services from EAEU countries to countries along the corridor (and eventually ‘gravitating’ towards it), and, consequently, accelerate their economic growth. In its turn, this motion might imply mutual political concessions.

Russian and Chinese initiatives in Central Eurasia cannot be considered separate or mutually exclusive - Eurasian integration and the Silk Road Economic Belt complement rather than contradict each other. Successfully conjoining the two projects directly depends on Russian-Chinese relations that are based on mutual respect and political trust. Both sides are equally interested in maintaining a stable and safe Central Asia for fruitful cooperation, not competition. However, more systematic and consistent work between the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and China requires a strong and effective institutional basis and structure. The solution thus includes two important aspects. The first implies a more powerful Eurasian Economic Commission and the extension of its competence to new areas. The second means creating a special institution for intergovernmental cooperation, which could serve as a platform for a multilateral dialogue and provide ongoing day-to-day support for decision-makers and different experts of all levels. Such a mechanism would also help to elaborate a common position and policy on China for the five EEU countries. The conjoining of the EEU and the Silk Road initiative would not only boost trade among states but is necessary to develop infrastructure and investment programmes. Such a multifaceted agenda would require serious technical preparation as well as force EEU countries to compromise, because only with consent can members truly benefit.

This article offers a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of the financial integration of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at its present stage of development. Opportunities and prospects, risks, and limitations were analyzed from the point of view of Russia’s national interests, taking into account the country’s EAEU presidency in 2018. Financial integration should be deepened; it could have a powerful systemic effect and help accomplish several interrelated goals, such as giving a new impetus to Eurasian integration and overcoming the relative stagnation caused by the exhaustion of the natural integrational effects of the EAEU’s “start-up stage.” At the same time, the authors assume that (in the absolute majority of cases) EAEU countries have common interests in the financial aspect of integration. A successful Eurasian project could lead to the adoption of a multilateral approach with an emphasis on concerted actions, which would make financial integration beneficial to all members of the EAEU, individually and collectively alike. The article presents an in-depth analysis of the Eurasian Economic Commission’s (EEC) regulatory documents and compares the EAEU’s financial integration with that of other integration associations (such as the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The analysis identifies the most promising areas of financial integration in the medium term, taking into account members’ obligations. The list of priority measures to step up integrational cooperation aimed at creating a single financial market is presented at the supranational (for the EAEU) and national (for Russia) levels.

As the title implies the article deals and analyse the cooperation processes of the conjugation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Silk Road Economic Belt. The purpose of the article is to identify mechanism of the conjunction of the EAEU and Silk Road Economic Belt. To conduct the research and generate results, authors applied document analysis method. The object of the study is the mechanism of the conjugation of the EAEU and Silk Road Economic Belt. The subject of the research is Russian-Chinese bilateral relations, political and economic aspects and the normative legal base between the EAEU and China. Dependent variables of the research: normative legal framework, political and diplomatic relations, trade and investment cooperation, transport and logistics corridors, industry network, geopolitical constituent, Russian-Chinese relations. Independent variables of the research: the EAEU integration process, agreements between EAEU and Vietnam, Iran, India. It is analysed and stressed the vital role in the intensification bilateral relations and in the formation of normative legal base between the EAEU member states and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as between the Russia and the PRC in creating favorable conditions to strengthen conjugation of the EAEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt. The article demonstrates a high level of Russian-Chinese relations in strategic areas of cooperation, a large complex of normative legal base, the importance of developing transport infrastructure and industrial network, the significance of increasing turnover including improving the investment environment. It is highlighted a crucial role of the Eurasian Economic Commission in creating a normative legal base of the conjugation mechanism of the EAEU and Silk Road Economic Belt in accordance with its competencies. One of the key issues of the article is an important role of the diplomatic and political mechanism of member states´ interaction in implementing the conjugation of the EAEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt. It is analysed the substantial role of nuclear energy as one of the major areas of economic cooperation between Russia and China, as well as one of the main factors for strengthening the conjunction of the EAEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt. It is underlined dynamism of cooperation of the conjugation. It is stressed the key role of the number of signed normative legal documents as well as a wide range of fields of interaction between the EAEU and the Silk Road Economic Belt. It is established that for the further cooperation is necessary to activate and intensify legal framework between the member states of the EAEU and China. It is shown that listed factors indicate positive perspectives for further cooperation of the conjunction.

The place and role of Armenia in the development of the Eurasian transport infrastructure are determined. The problems of formation of the Common Transport Space (UTP) of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are considered. It is established that in the modern world, the convergence of sea, land and air communications is an important condition for the development of international trade and integration. The weakest aspects of the integration process are identified, the infrastructural gap between Armenia and the rest of the EAEU countries is highlighted. The main indicators of freight traffic of the EAEU member countries are analyzed in the context of economic and, in particular, investment relations of the Union. The level of influence of the transport blockade of Armenia on the possibility of its integration into the UTP is determined. It is shown that the absence of Armenia among the founders of the Eurasian Railway Alliance indicates the absence of a synchronized transport policy among the EAEU member countries. It is established that the basic challenge of the transport development of Armenia is the integration into the international transport and logistics corridor North – South with the formation of the multimodal route Persian Gulf – Black Sea. In this regard, the main risks and threats to the transport security of Armenia are identified in the context of the competition between two international transport megaprojects – North – South and TRACECA (East – West). The prospects for the transport development and integration of Armenia are studied through the prism of the geopolitical interests of Russia, the West, China and other actors in the South Caucasus

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), founded on May 29, 2014, represents a significant effort to enhance economic growth and prosperity among former Soviet states, notably Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia. Tracing its origin from the dissolution of the USSR and the subsequent establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 1991, the EAEU emerged after overcoming initial challenges faced by the CIS, formalizing its structure in 2015. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the EAEU's historical evolution, institutional framework, and the dynamics of its economic integration. By examining the EAEU's impact on member economies, including achievements like the creation of a unified labour market and increased trade volumes, the study stresses its role in advancing regional economic cooperation. It also addresses persistent challenges such as disparities in energy resources and the union's limited supranational authority. Furthermore, this paper draws comparisons between the EAEU and the European Union (EU), offering perceptions into their differing organizational structures and levels of integration. Through this comparative lens, it elucidates how each union shapes regional dynamics and influences global economic relations.

Using computable general equilibrium (CGE) model GLOBE v1 we investigate various scenarios of the integration in the Pacific Rim within the framework of the Trans­Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). For the considered scenarios we obtained forecasts of changes in GDP, aggregate exports and sectoral output, which are stable for changes in input parameters of the model. CGE­modelling of considered Free trade areas (FTA) was performed via mutual zeroing­out import tariffs for FTA­member countries. As tariff values applied in the model for countries of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) we used our calculations of trade value weighted averages for Common Customs Tariff rates of EAEU. It was shown that non­participation of the EAEU in the Pacific Rim’s integration has a very small positive impact on the economies of the EAEU countries. Meanwhile, participation is generally beneficial for all EAEU countries and it gives more or less noticeable gains in key macroeconomic indicators, though it creates risks for some sectors. Joining TPP will be the most beneficial for EAEU only under the condition of China’s participation in TPP. Due to the uncertainty of China’s joining TPP a good alternative for EAEU is its entry into RCEP. In the case of EAEU’s accession to the RCEP Russia’s real GDP is expected to grow in the long­run by 0,74% (about 10 billion US dollars). For some sectors the answer to the question whether in a particular sector will be observed growth or decline in output levels is determined by the scenario of integration — these sectors are at risk: chemical, rubber and plastic products; motor vehicles and parts; wood and paper products; textiles; wearing apparel; food production sector.

Eurasia is gradually turning into the point of intersection of various longterm political and economic initiatives undertaken by the leading actors of contemporary international relations, including the Russian Federation, the European Union, the United States and the People’s Republic of China. This trend compounded by a complicated dynamics of integration and disintegration processes in the post-Soviet states further exacerbates tensions in the region, already fraught with conflict. It also poses additional obstacles to the projects of Eurasian integration, promoted by the Russian Federation. In order to provide a better understanding of the specificities and prospects of Russia’s initiatives, the paper examines the origins and the evolution of the Russian strategy of Eurasian integration, and identifies its key elements. The author concludes that fundamental principles of the Russian strategy for reshaping the post-Soviet states have been laid down during the presidency of B.N. Yeltsin and were merely adjusted to meet certain political, social and economic changes both in Russia and abroad. These principles include: 1) commitment to the idea of a multipolar world; 2) creation of supranational Eurasian economic institutions to multiply the economic potential of member-states; 3) prevention of a change of political regimes in neighboring countries if they can bring to power anti-Russian groups; 4) establishment of closer links with China, especially on political, economic and security issues; 5) formation of a new center of political gravity in Eurasia through expanding the capacities of regional political and military organizations which would complement integration processes and ensure regional security. The paper shows that amid growing international tensions in the second half of 2010s the Russian integration initiatives have become increasingly focused on geostrategic, political and military issues. In that regard, the author concludes that, although the development of the Eurasian integration projects enables a wide range of horizontal and vertical economic linkages between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) memberstates, overtly competitive nature of both the Russian and the Western states’ strategies increases the conflict potential of the region. In the absence of alternative approaches, this conflict could not only become a potential source of new tensions between Russia and the West, but also threatens to reverse the current integration processes within the EAEU. The author emphasizes that the abandonment of excessively politicized and ideologized policies both in Russia and in the Western states, which prevents political elites from finding compromises and developing alternative approaches, is the only way to improve the situation in the Eurasian region.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was founded in 1992 for military-economic cooperation of member countries and mainly reflects the intention of Russia to maintain its zone of influence on the territory of the former USSR. In continuation of this policy, an agreement was concluded on the foundation of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which began its operation in 2015 and provides a certain freedom of movement of goods (services), capital and labor. These organizations provide effective interaction between the CSTO member states and the EAEU including common space between the countries and their development in a single trajectory, which allows to obtain a synergistic effect on the international arena. Thus, it is necessary to monitor the level of military-economic cooperation between the CSTO and EAEU member states. The purpose of this article was to study the challenges and threats to the Russia of military-economic cooperation of the CSTO and EAEU member states with third countries. To achieve this goal, military-economic cooperation of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia with third countries was examined and proposals were made for replacing purchases on the arms market with Russian counterparts. Some CSTO and EAEU countries seek to diversify their purchases in the arms market, providing a program of independent military development with the development of military-industrial cooperation with third countries. This situation forces Russia to ensure the development of plans for the import substitution of military products with Russian counterparts on the market of the CSTO and the EAEU. To test this hypothesis, we reviewed and analyzed publicly available statistics and documents, including data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. In the course of data analysis, it was proved that Belarus, Kazakhstan and partially Armenia diversify their purchases of military equipment and weapons by actively developing military-economic cooperation with third countries, including China.