Several countries of the former USSR are creating their own union without the participation of Russia

Kazakhstan claims to be a regional leader

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are planning to create an independent union. They intend to refrain from actions and participation in blocs that could potentially harm one of the parties, and also plan to expand cooperation in the military sphere. Why did the states that are members of the EAEU and the CSTO need a separate agreement, in the material “MK”.

The media are reporting the intention of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to pay an official visit to Astana. During the visit, an agreement on expanding allied relations between the two countries is expected to be signed. MK spoke with political scientist and author of the Berdakov-Online Telegram channel Denis Berdakov about the need for this agreement:

— Deepening cooperation is now very logical. Firstly, both countries have gone through a stage of formation, and leaders have changed in the states. Kazakhstan concluded the same alliance with Uzbekistan. In essence, we are talking about a triple alliance, in which the countries quickly and efficiently began trade, economic and border integration. These three countries need a clear understanding that they have a key partner and ally next to them who will stand up for them in the event of any specific situation.

Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are obviously lagging behind on integration topics, but that is their right.

— How will it be combined with the CSTO and the EAEU?

— It is obvious that this alliance is not created against the CSTO. But if we talk about the EAEU, then its very idea has undergone a qualitative transformation in the last two years.

Now there is de facto talk about restrictions on the labor market and labor force; the movement of goods is not so free. Nevertheless, I think that in the future the EAEU and the CSTO will remain, and all countries will also be members of them. But it is also obvious that a high-speed integration system is being created in Central Asia. Five, that is, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and three.

— What problems remain between states?

— Today, all three countries are ending border disputes, which opens the way to economic integration.

However, the issue with the customs border remains. The EAEU bodies, with the help of their institutions, were unable to resolve contradictions and ensure the necessary level of trust between countries in the export of their products. Accordingly, here the EAEU, frankly speaking, failed quite seriously.

Today we can say that there will be two leaders in the region. The countries of Central Asia are determined to build close relations with Russia and Kazakhstan.