Central Asia in Global Politics Study Notes

Central Asia in Global Politics

Russia - Central Asia

  • Central Asia's Importance to Russia:

    • Potential source of threats: terrorism, drugs, extremist ideas.

    • Area of competition with other global actors.

    • Space covered by Russian integration initiatives.

  • Russia's Importance in the Region:

    • Key instrument: network of old Soviet connections (personal contacts, knowledge of Russian language).

    • Central Asian political elites still rely on Putin.

  • Post-2022 Considerations:

    • Is Russia a guarantor of security or a threat?

    • Changes in trade structure between Russia and Central Asia after 2022:

      • Trade increase in 2022:

        • Russia-Kazakhstan: up to 10%.

        • Russia-Uzbekistan: up to 40%.

        • Russia-Tajikistan: 24%.

      • Trade decrease in 2022:

        • Russia-Kyrgyzstan: -40%.

        • Russia-Turkmenistan: -45%.

Germany's Monthly Exports to Central Asia

  • Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan

    • Exports include Machinery, motor vehicles & parts

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

  • Formed on 8.12.1991 (Belovezh Accords).

  • Members: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine.

  • Key Dates:

    • 8. 12.1991: Belovezh Accords - CIS founded by Russia, Ukraine, Belarus.

    • 21.12.1991: Alma Ata Protocol signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

    • 15.05.1992: Tashkent Pact - Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) founded by Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.

Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

  • Members: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan.

  • Former members: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan.

Eurasian Economic Union (EEU)

  • Members: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia.

  • Functioned as a customs union since 2011; transformed into an economic union in 2015.

  • Common market: 184 million consumers, combined GDP of approximately 2 trillion dollars.

  • Goals: develop mutual trade, investments, and unification of economic laws and regulations.

  • Treaty signed on May 29, 2014, in Astana by Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

EEU and Economic Migrants

  • Citizens of member states:

    • Do not need visas to cross borders of member states.

    • Do not need work permits.

    • Citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are employed on equal terms with citizens of Russia.

    • Allowed to work throughout the territory of the Russian Federation.

Russia-Central Asia Summit 2022

  • Putin:

    • Emphasized strengthening cooperation in trade and economic sphere.

    • Suggested Russia should provide