Russia in Eurasia:

1

• Russia in Eurasia
• Interests, possibilities and constraints
• by Elena Alekseenkova

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Main driving forces in Eurasia

• The Eurasian vector is one of the key areas of
  Russian foreign policy today.
• The revolution and civil war in Ukraine
  sharp deterioration of relations with the West
  has cut Russia off from a powerful source of its
  development and modernization.
• It has become vital for Russia to seek new
  sources of growth and development
• Closer cooperation with nearest neighbors EEU
  members, and China

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Main driving forces in Eurasia

• China the goal of economic development of
  Western Provinces (Silk Road Economic Belt)
  diversification of recourses supply prevention
  of chaotization near its western borders
  similar pragmatic approach (non-interference in
  internal affairs of the states)
• Kazakstan economic development multivector
  foreign policy security risks the concept of
  centrality in Eurasia interested in EEU
  and Silk Road Economic Belt
• The US stabilization of Afghanistan prevention
  of ISIS expansion containment of Russia and
  China
• Iran economic modernization Silk Road Economic
  Belt participation influence in Afghanistan and
  Central Asia

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Main factors of success

• 1. whether Russia and it's EEU partners in
  cooperation with China and other regional powers
  will manage to demonstrate real economic success
• 2. whether Russia together with it's partners
  will be able to provide security (no security
  no development)

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Russias interests

• Concentration of recourses and creation of
  friendly neighborhood
• Prevention of chaotization of the region
• Co-development with neighbors increase of
  competitiveness on the global level
• Institutions for inter-regional cooperation
• Restore the image of constructive partner

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Russias possibilities

• Geography Russia has common borders with many
  countries of the region, an access to the main
  transport nodes, ports etc. So the inclusion to
  infrastructure and transportation project is
  natural and logical
• The scale of the Russian economy attractive
  market and significant contributor to regional
  economic and infrastructure projects.
• Possibility to provide security military forces
• Human capital education, qualified and
  experienced working force
• Language and cultural pluralism

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Constraints internal

• Economy not enough diversified,
  deindustrialized, high transaction costs, etc.
• Demography demographic imbalances, slow
  population growth, an ageing population and a
  high mortality rate.
• Transportation needs serious investments and
  modernization
• Growing competition with the West
• Human capital not enough investments,
  deteriorating quality of human capital

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Constraints and risks external

• Possible sharpening of regional conflicts,
  unrecognized states, chaotization of Central
  Asia or Caucasus
• Security threats ISIS, radical Islam etc.
• difficulties of realization of EEU and
  SREB projects
• Economic risks profitability? current economic
  crisis
• Institutionalization before the real integration
• Lack of social support
• Risk of politization

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Conclusion

• Common ambitious goals
• Common work and experience
• Building trust
• Real economic results
• Attention of the rest of the world more than
  adherence to abstract political doctrines

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• Thank you!
• RussianCouncil.ru