Cooperation In Central Asia Research Articles

The Influence of Information Cooperation in Central Asia on the Interests and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract This article examines how information cooperation influences Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. Through systematic analysis and comparison methods, this article identifies key trends and differences in information cooperation among Central Asian countries. Strengthening regional contacts and Kazakhstan’s engagement in international organizations emerge as pivotal outcomes of this interaction. Diplomatic services, regional initiatives, media projects, and cybercrime counteraction play essential roles in creating a modern information landscape in Kazakhstan. This research provides a foundation for future studies on information cooperation in Central Asia and its broader international implications.

"ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL PECULIARITIES OF CARICC ACTIVITY IN THE SPHERE OF COMBATING DRUG TRAFFICKING IN CENTRAL ASIA"

The article is devoted to organizational and legal peculiarities of activity of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) as an interstate body designed to assist regional cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking through exchange and analysis of operational information, organization and coordination of joint operations. The author of the article notes the importance of multilateral format of cooperation in Central Asia in the field of combating drug trafficking and search for joint responses to the drug threat. It is suggested to use CARICC analytical materials in terms of strategic analysis of the situation related to drug production in Afghanistan, assessment of potential risks and threats to Central Asian states from drug trafficking. In recent years, Uzbekistan's role in the world arena has been growing, and the country's positive influence on international processes has been increasing due to the pragmatic and active foreign policy pursued by the country's leadership. In this context, the country's active participation in multilateral cooperation institutions - international and regional organizations, including the CARICC format - plays an important role.

Para-diplomacy's Role in Central Asian Transboundary Water Cooperation: An Assessment of Subnational Actors

This paper aims at identifying how Para diplomacy influences the Transboundary Water Cooperation in Central Asia with a special reference to the non-state and sub-state actors. This research aims at finding out what para diplomacy is, why it is done, the benefits and the risks associated with doing para diplomacy especially in managing the shared water resources. The research method used in the study combines the scenario mapping, typology analysis, and comparative case studies in order to obtain data from the Central Asian context. Thus, the reason for the findings is to increase an understanding of the Para diplomacy enhancement of transboundary water security.

Sino-American-Russian Competition and Cooperation in Central Asia: Through the Optics of Game Theory

Sino-American-Russian Competition and Cooperation in Central Asia: Through the Optics of Game Theory

Development of Sino-Russian legal service cooperation in the context of hindered Eurasian integration

Due to the continuation of special military operations, the original mode of competition and cooperation in Central Asia has changed. The process of Eurasian integration has fallen into a temporary low tide, and the “Belt and Road” strategy has also been impacted. China and Russia have established a highly friendly comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era, and have maintained long-term high-level cooperation in various fields. Against the backdrop of the overall downturn in the world economy, bilateral trade has grown. In the face of Western sanctions, the economic and trade cooperation between Russia and European countries has gradually decreased, which will inevitably lead to the deepening of exchanges between Russia and China in the field. Whether the high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation or the docking and landing of long-term strategies, it is inseparable from the escort of the law. The current China-Russia legal services have such problems as narrow coverage, lack of legal talents, lack of dispute resolution mechanism, etc. Such scattered and fragmented legal services obviously cannot meet the needs of the development of Sino-Russian trade, and it is also unable to make timely adjustment in the face of the impact of the drastic international situation. This paper will sort out the development context of China- Russia legal service. Based on the current situation of legal service cooperation, this paper will analyze the shortcomings exposed in this field in the face of the drastic international situation, and put forward suggestions for the transformation and development of China-Russia legal service cooperation.

MAIN PROBLEMS OF REGIONALIZATION POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA

The article is devoted to issues of cooperation in Central Asia. It examines the main problems that the region's republics face in ensuring international and political security, economic development, and transportation connectivity. The relevance of regional cooperation in combating the negative consequences of climate change is emphasized.

The Revival of Regional Cooperation in Central Asia in the Perspective of Hungary’s Eastern Opening Policy

Abstract Subject and purpose of the work: This study explores the specifics of strengthening Central Asian regional cooperation and its potential opportunities according to Hungary’s Eastern Opening Policy. Materials and methods: A two-pronged approach was used to conduct this study, which included a comprehensive literature review of relevant academic publications on regional cooperation, as well as an examination of cooperation projects to identify specific characteristics. Results are explicated using descriptive methodology for the analysis. Results: Central Asian regional integration differs from the traditional model, emphasising the importance of historical factors and the strengthening of Turkish ethnic identity as a foundation for unification efforts. Conclusions: Foreign economic engagement in Central Asia requires a continuous and assertive presence, along with the development of mutual trust due to the region’s unique historical, cultural and geopolitical context. These tendencies and intentions have been recognised by Hungarian foreign strategy - in line with the Eastern Opening Policy - with good sense and at a good pace.

MULTILATERAL MIGRATION COOPERATION IN CENTRAL ASIA THROUGH THE PRISM OF INTERNATIONAL EXTRA-REGIONAL STRUCTURES: BRIEF OVERVIEW

This article examines aspects of multilateral migration cooperation in Central Asia through the prism of international structures with a specific focus on Kazakhstan. International migration has been a global phenomenon for several decades of the 20th century. The intensification of migration in all regions of the world and the increasing influence of the various effects of migration at all levels calls for a more coordinated migration. Modern Central Asia, represented by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for a third of a century, has already been part of the global migration process, has its own specifics and experiences various influences of mobility both within the region and at the extra-regional level. Within the region, a separate organization or platform has not yet been formed that would cover exclusively migration cooperation. Along with this, there are organizations on the basis of which a solid foundation has been formed for the effective coordination of labor migration processes, the prevention of forced and irregular migration. To clarify the effectiveness and potential of migration coordination, this article will consider the activities in the field of migration of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Almaty Process. Key words: International Migration, Kazakhstan, Migration Cooperation, Central Asia, Almaty Process, SCO, EEU

The role of development models in Japan’s and Korea’s relations with Central Asia: Discourses and practices

This article examines the policies of development cooperation promoted by Japan and Korea in Central Asia, focussing on the roles of discourses treating Japan and Korea as potential non-Western models for the region’s development and modernisation in their relations with Central Asian states. We trace the evolution of relevant developmental approaches made by Japan and Korea, analysing discourses and practices of sharing experiences, as well as the key drivers behind those shifts, and we seek to locate these changes in the larger context of regional political economy and international relations. Furthermore, the article seeks to address the ideational and normative aspects of Japanese and Korean development cooperation in Central Asia. We conclude with a recap comparison of Japan’s and Korea’s sharing of development experiences.

Present-Day Japan’s Economic Diplomacy Toward Uzbekistan and Its Development

Located in Central Asia connecting Eurasia, Uzbekistan not only occupies an important geographical position, but also has abundant energy resources, which makes it Japan’s important economic and diplomatic target country in Central Asia. Since the unfolding of the new century, Japan’s economic diplomacy with Uzbekistan has gone through several stages of development, from initial contact to gradual maturity, and has been undergoing twists and turns. Since Shinzo Abe came to power for the second time in 2012, Japan’s economic diplomacy with Uzbekistan has deepened significantly, showing more distinct characteristics of changes, including the substantial increase of the amount of aid to the Uzbek government, attaching importance to bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and flexibly utilising the ‘Central Asia + Japan’ regional cooperation mechanism. The strategic considerations behind these changes and adjustments are to deeply participate in the regional cooperation in Central Asia by building a bilateral economic and trade relationship network, ensure the security of energy and resource supply in the post-pandemic era, realise the strategy of becoming a great power, and balance the forces of foreign powers.

On the new phylosophy of regional cooperation in Central Asia

In the article some conceptual approaches to the development of a new strategy for regional development of Central Asia (CA) are substantiated in the context of foreign policy and economic tensions. The author reveals the geo-economic and integration priorities of the Central Asian states in developing strategic cooperation with each other, as well as with the neighboring countries and global powers.

Paving the Way for Evidence‐Driven Transboundary Water Cooperation in Central Asia

AbstractThis paper reviews the achievements and failures in pursuing evidence‐driven and knowledge‐based transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia, with a focus on scientific cooperation under the umbrella of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia. Despite its limitations, this scientific cooperation has contributed to facilitating evidence‐based dialog between the countries, to collaborative regional exchange of knowledge and expertise and to improved access to available data and information. This paper serves to show that more promising results can be achieved if joint research, fact‐finding, and planning are more widely promoted; water research is invested on a sustainable basis; knowledge between scientists, practitioners, water users, and local populations is co‐produced and shared; local capacity in science is supported and strengthened; traditional and innovative inter‐, trans‐, and multidisciplinary research is better used and developed.

PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

This research article examines the state and prospects of economic cooperation among the countries of Central Asia (CA). As history would have it, economic cooperation within the CA region was previously limited, and investments in Central Asia were mainly concentrated in the mining sector of the economy. Demographic and economic trends in the region have led to an expansion of the internal market; most Central Asian states have implemented wide-ranging reforms, which have improved the overall investment climate; and the CA states have stepped up the development of multilateral trade and economic relations, laying the groundwork for broader cooperation. The article also covers recent problems related to the economic situation in the region. For example, the current situation associated with COVID-19 has had an impact on economic relations between the CA countries. In the view of international experts, this crisis has not provided any new reasons for integration in the region. The quarantine measures taken in various Central Asian countries have had a negative effect on their foreign trade and thus on intra-regional trade and economic cooperation in general. The authors also examine other problems, such as those caused by the CA countries’ economic dependence on other countries, namely their dependence on imports from outside the region. These problems also affect the prospects of economic cooperation in Central Asia. All countries, including those rich in natural resources, want to produce and export finished goods with high value added. The production of high value added products and services enables a country to earn more revenue and reduce its dependence on primary commodity exports. The Central Asian countries are no exception. But for many reasons their finished products are often insufficiently competitive in countries outside the region. Despite the existence of economic problems connected with the need to improve the economic aspects of cooperation, there is a clear trend towards diversification of the economy of the CA countries caused by a desire to develop various specializations. These include agricultural processing, production of consumer goods for the population, development of the service sector, and other areas. Thus, the choice of a new model for the development of multilateral relations and the emerging trend towards economic growth in the region have made it possible to lay the foundation for long-term cooperation among the Central Asian states. Keywords: regional cooperation, Central Asia region, diversification of the economy, trade regimes, external economic policy, region, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan.

МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЕ ИНИЦИАТИВЫ УЗБЕКИСТАНА ПО УКРЕПЛЕНИЮ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОГО СОТРУДНИЧЕСТВА В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ

The article examines the international initiatives of Uzbekistan, put forward in the framework of international organizations and conferences, in order to strengthen regional cooperation with the countries of Central Asia. The authors note that these initiatives, coveringall areas of cooperation (political, economic, social, cultural, etc.), are being successfully implemented and contribute to strengthening the image of Uzbekistan in the world arena. The article examines the initiatives of Uzbekistan, put forward in the framework of international organizations and international conferences dedicated to cooperation in Central Asia

KAZAKHSTAN’S POSITION IN THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL ASIA

Improving the forms and mechanisms of regional economic integration, deepening the mutual understanding on the formation of an economically and politically secure integrated space, expanding trade and economic relations, elaborating joint actions to maintain regional peace and stability, creating a single information space are among the key areas that have become the basis of cooperation among the Central Asian region (CAR) states. The authors reveal the positive aspects of cooperation among the CAR countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. First and foremost, these include common historical roots, linguistic and cultural similarity, convenient geographical location and established economic ties, which allow the states of Central Asia (CA) to establish a deeper and more active understanding of each other, to solve economic and political problems related to finding and realizing domestic investment potential and expanding regional trade and economic ties. The joint establishment of international transport corridors and infrastructure will help reduce the transport costs for Central Asian countries that supply export products to external markets, which is an important area of ​​cooperation in Central Asia. In addition, the economic problems that exist among the regional countries largely determine the nature of relations between them. Future solution of problems determines the subsequent viability of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and the regional development prospects. Based on the use of economic research tools, the authors examine the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and their impact on the state of trade and economic relations between the regional states. Post-crisis plans for economic recovery in the Central Asian countries will be developed and implemented in the context of the need to solve the present-day problems associated with the gradual lifting of quarantine measures. In this regard, the quickest possible transition of economies to an upward growth trajectory should launch the expansion of trade and economic cooperation and ties among the Central Asian countries. The authors emphasize the fact that another important problem within CAREC is the fact that CAR economies are dominated by raw materials, which does not solve the problems of reducing social inequality and improving the welfare of the regional population. For this reason, Kazakhstan, like other Central Asian countries, is currently in search of a new economic model. The transformation is crucial because the country needs to overcome its excessive long-term dependence on the export of oil and raw materials. The new economic model should be focused on further industrialization and diversification of the economy, on the search for new innovative approaches and development strategies.

Water resources management and dynamic changes in water politics in the transboundary river basins of Central Asia

Abstract. The growing water crisis in Central Asia (CA) and the complex water politics over the region's transboundary rivers have attracted considerable attention; however, they are yet to be studied in depth. Here, we used the Gini coefficient, water political events, and social network analysis to assess the matching degree between water and socio-economic elements and analyze the dynamics of water politics in the transboundary river basins of CA. Results indicate that the mismatch between water and land resources is a precondition for conflict, with the average Gini coefficient between water and population, gross domestic product (GDP), and cropland measuring 0.19 (highly matched), 0.47 (relatively mismatched), and 0.61 (highly mismatched), respectively. Moreover, the Gini coefficient between water and cropland increased by 0.07 from 1997 to 2016, indicating an increasing mismatch. In general, a total of 591 water political events occurred in CA, with cooperation accounting for 89 % of all events. Water events have increased slightly over the past 70 years and shown three distinct stages, namely a stable period (1951–1991), a rapid increase and decline period (1991–2001), and a second stable period (2001–2018). Overall, water conflicts mainly occurred in summer and winter. Among the region's transboundary river basins, the Aral Sea basin experienced the strongest conflicts due to the competitive utilization of the Syr and Amu Darya rivers. Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the density of water conflictive and cooperative networks in CA increased by 0.18 and 0.36, respectively. Uzbekistan has the highest degree centrality in the conflictive network (6), while Kazakhstan has the highest degree centrality in the cooperative network (15), indicating that these two countries are the most interconnected with other countries. Our findings suggest that improving the water and land allocation systems and strengthening the water cooperative networks among countries will contribute to the elimination of conflicts and promotion of cooperation in CA.

Russia and China: Rivalry and Cooperation in Central Asia

Russia and China: Rivalry and Cooperation in Central Asia

Казахстан и перспективы регионального сотрудничества в Центральной Азии

A number of factors hinder regional cooperation in Central Asia. They include multidirectional foreign policy priorities of the countries of the region and unresolved acute regional problems (territorial borders, water and energy, environmental, transport and communication, agricultural and food). The ruling elites of the countries of the region may fail to resist the temptation to channel population's dissatisfaction with the difficult socio-economic situation into the mainstream of interethnic and interstate conflicts. Therefore, there can be no question of Central Asian integration.

NEW EU STRATEGY FOR CENTRAL ASIA: HISTORY, VISION, PROSPECTS

Today, the Central Asian region is once again becoming a point of attraction for the interests of the international community—in geopolitical, as well as in trade and economic terms. The interests of major world powers intersect here, and each has its own approach to establishing relations with the regional countries. The European Union, which never considered this region a geopolitical priority, has been implementing its own Central Asia Strategy since 2007. In July 2017, the Council of the European Union decided to completely revise the Strategy based on new realities, as well as the ambitions and priorities of the regional states in their relations with the EU. A new strategy for relations between the European Union and Central Asia was adopted in June 2019. The revision of the strategy is slated to allow the EU to strengthen its cooperation with the Central Asian countries, highlight the most effective projects, and revise those aspects of interaction that did not bring the desired results. Currently, there is an intensification of intra-regional cooperation in Central Asia; there are positive trends in the development of dialog on important issues of the regional agenda. For this reason, the approaches and tools of European diplomacy in the implementation of its policy in Central Asia are expected to undergo significant adjustments as the Strategy is updated. The subject of this article is precisely this transit period in the relations between the European Union and Central Asia.

A parceria sino-russa e a disputa pela Eurásia: imperativos geopolíticos e alianças conjunturais pelo controle do continente basilar

O objetivo do artigo é analisar a parceria sino-russa atual, a partir das teorias geopolítica e de balança de poder. Argumenta-se que a força motriz desta aproximação na segunda década do século XXI se dá no sentido de diminuir a influência de potências extrarregionais sobre a Eurásia – sobretudo dos EUA, devido ao seu poder e presença oriundos do final da Guerra Fria – que representam uma ameaça estratégica comum aos interesses russo e chinês. Esse aspecto pode ser identificado nas diferentes frentes de cooperação sino-russa que possuem um caráter estratégico. Na impossibilidade de detalhar cada aspecto da parceria em um só artigo, esse trabalho dará luz à cooperação energética, à cooperação na Ásia Central e à integração eurasiática com liderança sino-russa.