Eurasian Space Research Articles

Innovative aspects of preferential rules of goods origin in the economy of global chains: applicability for the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

The investigations show that cross-cumulation of origin is a new tool of easing stringent rules of origin of goods (ROG) in the regional trade deals (RTD) in the economy of global chains and growing protectionism, which is not characteristic of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The article gives consideration to a legal and institutional commitment of EAEU to using innovation in the sphere of preferential ROG. The existence of multiplicity of wordings of cumulation concept, its types as well as verification systems in different RTD determines the use of comparative analysis of preferential ROG in EU (European Union), ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and EAEU as the main investigation method. The following findings have been made on the basis of analysis of regulatory and legal framework of preferential rules of EAEU and practice of application thereof: legislation of the Union is developing, though, it is incomplete — a key document on preferential rules is absent, which creates a legal uncertainty in the sphere of ROG; organization of free-trade zones (FTZ) of EAEU with the third countries is progressing slowly not meeting the requirements of development of Big Eurasia; application of diagonal and full cumulation is admissible in EAEU agreements on FTZ, but due to a requirement of direct supply and a complicated system of certification and verification of origin, customs offices frequently refuse to grant preferential tariffs to foreign trade operators. Signing of new EAEU agreements on FTZ, activation of all forms of cumulation in the existing and new FTZ will contribute to expanding the ‘zone of origin’ in the territory of the Eurasian space with the center in EAEU. Full change-over to electronic certification and verification of origin will help reduce business expenses, hence, make EAEU countries more attractive for integration into transcontinental supply chains.

Muslim–Christian Conversion in Modern Russia and the Idea of Russia as a Eurasian Islamo-Christian Space

Abstract This article examines conversion between Islam and Russian Orthodoxy in contemporary Russia. The author tests the idea that Russia historically constituted an Islamo-Christian Eurasian space, and that this reality has now been revived in the hermeneutic self-perception of government rhetoric as well as in the self-understanding of converts from both religious communities. He concludes that this “hermeneutic space” is real (though not exclusive), and is expressed both in the syncretistic practice of individuals and within communities. However, instead of seeing the Eurasian space as essentialist, the author gives “Eurasianism” a philosophical reconstruction, viewing it as an inter-subjective mental hermeneutic that nonetheless has reality and causality in shaping individual and collective religious identity in Russia today.

Киргизы из провинции Хэйлунцзян (фу-юй) Китайской Народной Республики

The ethnonym «kyrgyz» is widely spread on the Eurasian space. This ethnonym is often found both in toponymy, and in hydronyms, oronyms. Nomadic Kyrgyz have long been migrating, especially in the Middle Ages, and at the same time, they made a significant contribution to the historical and cultural appearance of other people of Central, Middle Asia and adjacent territories in the process of ethnic and cultural relations. As a result of the centuries-old migration processes and ethno-cultural relations in Northeast China (Heilongjiang province), Fuyu Kyrgyz people appeared. The original culture of the most Oriental representatives of the Turkic-speaking people of the world since the middle of the twentieth century has found a keen interest on the part of historians and ethnographers. In the scientific literature, this nationality is compactly residing in the county of Fu-yu (Heilongjiang province, China), known as fu-u or fu-yu. In the total number of not more than 1500 people, the Fu-Yun Kyrgyz people call themselves «Kyrgyz», «Hergase» or «Tirtiz» only. According to the anthropological type, the Fuyui Kyrgyz – unlike the neighboring people of the manjurs, Mongols, daurs, Evenks – are light-skinned and with European features. However, among them there are white-faced Kyrgyz with red or light chestnut hair (shatens). As for the economic order, the Fu-yu Kyrgyz are primarily cattlemen (large and small cattle). It has been proved by science that the language of the Fuyui Kyrgyz people entering the Turkic branch of languages has common roots with the modern languages of the Khakas and Shorians. In addition, it is very similar to the languages of sarahugur and lobnowortsev (Baskakov, 1980:199-208). The Kyrgyz of Fuyuu County are divided into six genera: Tabhyn, Tabindyr, Chigdyr, Sandyrdyr, Byltirdy, Kurtyr or Kargaster (Kyrgyz). Initially, the resettlement of the Yenisei Kyrgyz people to the modern territory of Mongolia, and further to Manchuria began in the Yuan era during the reign of Khubilai Khan. In between the war of Chingizids (mid-Asiatic Hajdu Khan and the Chinese Khubilai Khan) in the bloody struggle in the open spaces of Kara-Corum from both sides participated and Kyrgyz. Furrier cattle breeding was a traditional type of Fui-kyi farm. They kept horses, sheep, and cows. They engaged in hunting, on which they went on horseback accompanied by dogs. From the oral traditions it is known that the Fuyu kyrgyz began to grow grain since the middle of the 19th century. The dwelling of Fuyu Kyrgyz people in the past was a yurt, but approximately in the middle of the first half of the XIX century. began to move to stationary buildings. In the past, the Fyuju Kyrgyz people wore loose clothing with long sleeves and a belt. Women wore clothes with members of Kyrgyz society wearing fox hats. The winter wardrobe consisted mainly of leather clothes, mostly of sheepskin, while rich Kyrgyz wore fox fur coats. Traditional musical instruments are similar to Khakassian homys (stringed instrument) and hobrah (kind of flute).

Eurasian Geopolitics Importance to World Politics and China’s Geostrategy

Since 1990 after bipolar system demolition and setting up new world order with liberal international order with American leadership endorsement lasted till 2014, the Eurasian space became one of the hottest spots in the world. Considering situational changes in the international security system with diminishing the global hegemony of the USA in case of confrontation with Russia and China, Eurasia has been increasing its geopolitical relevance to international politics. Several implications on endorsing new “Eurasian” alliances (Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Collective Security Treaty Organization, Eurasian Union, etc.) with primarily involvement of the countries of Post-Soviet space and China, directed against to NATO policy of enlargement could have created a rim of instability with “flexing mussels” between three nuclear powers – the USA, Russian Federation and People's Republic of China (PRC). Tripolarity agenda confirmed by the international security high-level expert community, incoming world order is shaping up in the classical balance of power game of international relations. Hence, the China-Russia alliance and strategic cooperation wrenched in the area really play an important role in fostering process at any level of the political spectrum: local, regional and certainly global.

Strategic cooperation of electric power systems of Russia and Central Asia for the creation of common Eurasian electric power space

The paper considers electric power integration projects realized and to be implemented on the territory of Eurasia, that include Russia and countries of Central Asia, neighboring regions of Caucasus, South Asia, and others. Studies are focused on the effectiveness of electric power integration of electric power systems of Russia and Central Asia in the long-term perspective, with account of electric ties with neighboring countries.

Концепт «астана» в евразийском культурно-историческом пространстве

Концепт «астана» в евразийском культурно-историческом пространстве

Анализ и оценка экономических моделей использования и развития цифрового пространства на примере Евразийского экономического союза

This article discusses and analyzes the features of the application of economic models of digitalization of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. The current state of economies cannot be imagined without information technology and digital space. Especially this influence is felt with the advent of the Internet, mobile communications, social networks, which are constantly updated with new tools. The CIS countries are united not only geopolitically, but also have world economic relations, the most significant of which was the EurAsEC (Eurasian Economic Community), which was transformed into the EEU (Eurasian Economic Union). The Eurasian space includes, with its composition, the largest part of the territory of the former USSR, in which the mineral resources presented in the Periodic Table are concentrated. The EAEU brings together countries with the same level of economic development, a common transport and logistics system and common borders. In addition, they are on the “Great Silk Road”, which determines the unity of their economic and political goals, and also aims to create a single digital space.In accordance with the foregoing, the purpose of the study is an analytical assessment of the development model of the digital space of the EAEU for the development of the economy and science.The scientific significance of the study lies in the analysis of the activities of countries united in a single economic union in the era of digitalization and informatization.

Возвращение к диалогу: Киргизия и Россия

The article analyses the dynamics of Kyrgyz art in the context of the 20th and 21st century culture. We are witness to an integrative breakthrough currently taking place: due to the creation and growth of the Eurasian Union, a new large-scale geopolitical integrity is being formed. The Kyrgyz Republic has become a full member of the Eurasian Union and has begun to establish new economic ties. However, a lasting alliance cannot exist without common ideological paradigms and goals, without the many common values accumulated over the last century in the spheres of science, education, social structure, security, and common historical memory. Above all is the value of friendship and cooperation between nations that generates joint creative activity in all spheres of Eurasian cultural space. The article briefly recounts the development stages of the Soviet art of Kirghizia, influenced by the paradigm of the revolutionary 1920s and 1930s, tested by the hardship of war and post-war times, promoted during the era of high civilisational achievements of the 1960s and 1970s, affected during the subsequent sociocultural crisis, and, finally, revitalized in the period of cultural transformation in sovereign Kyrgyzstan. The author raises the issue of the modern development of art based on the cultural dialogue between Russia and the countries of the Eurasian Union with the emphasis on the need for cultural understanding of the Eurasian phenomenon and its systematic components of interconnected loci in the context of modern science. Art can also become an indispensable institution integrating the Eurasian space, a universal platform for a dialogue between cultures. From this point of view, it is necessary to return to the established formats of dialogue between Russian and Kyrgyz artists and also to create specific new ways of interaction in the field of visual arts.

Proceedings of the 8th International Scientific Conference “Dialogue of Urban And Steppe Cultures in the Eurasian Space” Dedicated to the Memory of G.А. Fedorov-Davydov

Proceedings of the 8th International Scientific Conference “Dialogue of Urban And Steppe Cultures in the Eurasian Space” Dedicated to the Memory of G.А. Fedorov-Davydov

Academic mobility of Russian scientists: from “brain drain” to “brain circulation” model

Academic mobility is one of the key directions of development of intellectual potential and realization of professional opportunities of both youth and highly qualified specialists, scientists and teachers. This category of the population is the intellectual potential of the country, able to carry out an “innovative breakthrough” of the economy, able to act as a mechanism for strengthening the integration processes in the Eurasian space (within the EAEU and SCO), as well as to become a certain reserve for the demographic development of some Russian regions. The term “circulation of minds” is defined, which has become increasingly used in relation to the emigration of specialists from Russia. The circulation of minds implies that the migration of highly skilled professionals and scientists follows the movement of capital and projects, is temporary and returnable. The concept of “academic mobility” is specified and its key characteristics are given. The evaluation of the implementation of international programs to promote academic mobility, including such programs as Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, Tempus, Fulbright Program, etc., which allow participating countries to obtain positive socio-economic, scientific and demographic effects. Unfortunately, this potential of educational migration is not fully realized in Russia. In addition, the Russian science lacks the necessary amount of scientific research on the problems of academic mobility, which is largely due to the negative “color” of educational migration in the country, due to the significant attention to the problem of “brain drain”. Nevertheless, in our opinion, Russia has enormous unrealized potential and unique opportunities for the development of academic mobility. In conclusion, there are proposals for the formation of Russia’s policy in relation to the development of academic mobility, maintaining a positive trend to attract highly skilled migrants from near and far abroad, but also for the further development of forms of academic mobility.

Ensuring Economic Security of Russia and Eurasian Countries as an Imperative of Effective Eurasian Integration

The task of the authors was to identify the role of country economic security in the Eurasian integration. To this end, the approaches to economic security in Europe, Russia and Asian countries are analyzed. The differences in the systems of national economic security and in the key approaches to its provision are primarily due to the historically established internal economic and geo-economic conditions. There is a fairly wide range of paradigms of national economic security, primarily the differences between the European approaches and the approach of Russia. Information on the state, principles and mechanisms of organization of national economic security systems in Asian countries is practically absent in Russian science. It was also necessary to analyze the typology of threats in order to clarify the prospects of integration of national economic security systems. The authors substantiate the position that ensuring national economic security is an important imperative of integration and development in the Eurasian space, competitiveness and economic sovereignty of countries. The article systematically organizes the facts about the types of organization of national economic security, explains the need for the countries of Eurasia active system of economic security as a response to the challenges of our time. The authors formulate the basic principles of Eurasian integration in the field of national security, involving both sovereignty and harmonization of national systems aimed at protecting economic interests.

Developing a Control System in Order to Determine the Role of Economy

The task of the authors was to develop a certain control system to identify the role of country economic security in the Eurasian integration. To this end, the approaches to economic security in Europe, Russia and Asian countries are analyzed. The differences in the methods of controlling the national economic security and in the key approaches to its provision are primarily due to the historically established internal economic and geo-economic conditions. There is a fairly wide range of paradigms of controlling system implemented in national economic security, primarily the differences between the European approaches and the approach of Russia. Given information based on mentioned control systems revealed that principles and mechanisms of organization of national economic security systems in Asian countries is practically absent in Russian science. It was also necessary to analyze the typology of control monitoring system in order to clarify the prospects of integration of national economic security systems. The authors substantiate the position that ensuring national economic security is an important imperative of integration and development in the Eurasian space, competitiveness and economic sovereignty of countries. The article systematically organizes the facts about the types of organization of national economic security, explains the need for the countries of Eurasia active control system of economic security as a response to the challenges of our time. The authors express a certain control syste, of Eurasian integration in the field of national security, involving both sovereignty and harmonization of national systems aimed at protecting economic interests.

Russia, Europe and the Ontological Security Dilemma: Narrating the Emerging Eurasian Space

The aim of this essay is twofold. First, it seeks to examine how Russia and the European Union understand the emerging Eurasian space. We will do this by looking at how the two narrate the space, the use of power and each other. Second, we want to argue that the narratives at the heart of the conceptual and normative maps that guide their actions and behaviour create an essentially ontological security dilemma; that is, behaviour aimed primarily at enhancing confidence in the identity and continuity of a political community threatens the ontological security of other actors.

Russia’s Eurasian past, present and future: rival international societies and Moscow’s place in the post-cold war world

ABSTRACTThe failure of post-Soviet Russia to integrate into the West became evident with the 2014 Ukraine crisis, leading Moscow to accelerate its declared “pivot to the East”. However, the increased dependence on China carries its own risks, such as the danger of becoming Beijing’s junior partner. For an erstwhile superpower that continues to declare and prize its autonomy in international affairs, this is a particularly unappealing prospect. Thus, it remains to be seen whether a genuinely balanced partnership can exist between both countries. This article uses insights from Adam Watson’s pendulum theory to explore Russia’s post-2014 Eurasian predicament. We argue that the rapid rightward swing of the pendulum in the Euro-Atlantic order following the end of the Cold War has proven indigestible for Moscow. The article then moves to discuss the Sino-Russian relationship in the context of the emerging Eurasian space. It concludes that the growing disillusionment of Russian leaders with the West since the 2000s, along with the normative convergence between Moscow and Beijing, has led to a closer partnership between the two. Yet the partnership is also riddled with a number of insecurities on Moscow’s side that could undermine the long-term prospects for cooperation between Russia and China.

Создание общей инфраструктуры Евразии: повестка для Евразийского экономического союза

The paper focuses on the development trends of the transport infrastructure of Eurasia in the context of the economic and political integration of the countries at this continent. Leading states of the Asia-Pacific region (APR) made proposals on large-scale infrastructure projects in the Eurasian space after financial crisis 2008-2009. Russia is extremely interested in integrating into these initiatives, but faces a number of difficulties. Some of them are connected with the peculiarities of regulation of transport issues within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.The article analyzes Russia’s current infrastructure development dialogue with the APR states, including the initiative of coordination of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Silk Road Economic Belt. The authors examine main Eurasian infrastructure projects interesting for complex EEU infrastructure development as well as the main challenges and opportunities for Russia arising in the framework of the interaction of the EEU and the APR countries in the field of infrastructure.The authors conclude that integration of Russia into Eurasian transport and logistics initiatives requires the coordination of the transport agenda with trade and investment regulation. This coordination suggests close cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Commission, and in the long term -even the transfer of competencies related to the development of the EAEU infrastructure agenda to the supranational level.The article was prepared using a grant (No. 17-18-01577) from the Russian Science Foundation, “The Formation of a Community of Greater Eurasia and the Strategy of Bilateral Cooperation Between Russia and Countries of the Region.”

Центральноазиатский трек инициативы «Пояс и путь»: возможности и риски

With the exception of Turkmenistan, Central Asian countries have consistently viewed foreign policy as a multivector activity since their independence more than 25 years ago. In the past, this strategy has shown its effectiveness and irreplaceability. Striving to maintain a delicate balance between the interests of global and regional empires, Kazakhstan and other countries in the region continue to pursue a multivector policy today. However, this task becomes more complicated year by year as competition between regional actors gathers pace. In that respect, the emergence and implementation of the Chinese One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, which objectively increases the dependence of countries in the region on China, plays a special role.This article reviews the emergence and implementation of China’s OBOR initiative in Central Asia. The authors set forth Beijing’s foreign policy strategy with respect to the initiative in terms of its main components in Central Asia.The cooperation of Kazakhstan and China is separately considered within the framework of the concept of linking the “Nurly Jol” state programme of infrastructural development for 2015-2019 and OBOR. Given the long-term nature of this project, forecasts are provided for the interaction of the Central Asian states with PRC within the framework of the Chinese initiative.Additional issues relating to the coexistence of several projects in the Eurasian space, in which Kazakhstan and other countries of the region participate, are also considered. In particular, the authors analyze the role and place given by Chinese authorities to Russia within the OBOR strategy. Despite the official statements of the authorities or established plans (Beijing-Moscow high-speed railway, highway, etc.), China generally assigns an insignificant place to Russia in its strategy. Moreover, by offering road construction projects to Moscow, Beijing apparently expects to divert Russia’s attention from its own plans in Central Asia. Against this background, there is a clear response from Moscow which is most evident in Russia’s desire to actively promote the Greater Eurasian Partnership project.

Концепция «Большой Евразии» в повороте России на Восток

The last two or three years have become a time of an unprecedented rise of interest to Eurasia. The Russian initiative to create Greater Eurasia, which is seen as the main conceptual framework for promoting various cooperation projects in the region, is often criticized for the lack of concrete content. Given the growing number of regional initiatives including from China and India Russia needs not only to formulate an attractive idea, but also to show its relevance and efficiency.Despite the absence of objective historical conditions for its implementation the concept of ‘Greater Eurasia’ can become a rational practical embodiment of a wide range of development and security priorities for many countries in the region. The problem of the study is the absence of objective prerequisites for the creation of Greater Eurasia while there is a wide range of subjective reasons.The article examines the preconditions for the emergence of Greater Eurasia as well as various ways of this concept’s perception and political interpretation. For historical reasons projects for the consolidation of Eurasia have largely remained on paper, but the current regional and global trends create relevant conditions for their implementation.The study analyzes the content of Eurasian integration and possible formats of cooperation within it. Particular emphasis is made on security issues, economic interaction, and the development of institutions in the Eurasian space. The authors stress the need for reform of the OSCE in order to bring its activities closer to the current geopolitical conditions. The prospects for the development of the SCO and its role in Greater Eurasia are also under consideration.Special attention is paid to relations with potential participants of Greater Eurasia project (including European countries) and non-regional actors. Eurasian integration is also analyzed from the European integration perspective. According to authors’ estimations, in EAUE there is a need for greater attention to the issue of state sovereignty (similar to the European experience of country representatives and expert groups) and strengthening the institutional capacity of organization.

Шанхайская организация сотрудничества и Большая Евразия

This article analyses the current role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the development of international cooperation in the Eurasian space and explores the prospects for multifaceted cooperation within the framework of the Organisation. The analysis shows that steady dialog between neighbouring states, aimed at the search for common interests in addressing common regional challenges, is vital for sustainable growth under current conditions. The maintenance of security throughout the cooperative effort plays a key role. The presence of these elements promotes the gradual integration of different approaches to the development of regional economic collaboration as well as a co-evolutionary transformation of economic interests.The article also examines the characteristics of the partnership system within the framework of the SCO with respect to international cooperation. This system is able to provide an institutional platform for broad regional economic cooperation in the context of Eurasian development, the implementation of new national strategies by SCO members, joint efforts for the further integration and development of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the realization of the Chinese One Belt One Road initiative with its potential to form a greater partnership in Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Greater Eurasia and Russian Foreign Policy Priorities

The strategic concept of the Greater Eurasian Partnership has been the greatest achievement of Russia in its prioritization of foreign policy and in building effective multilateral institutions in this macroregion. This concept, as well as the previously developed strategy of pairing the Chinese One Belt One Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, is based on the academic and political belief that multilateral institutions, which introduce mutually binding norms for their members, are the essential element of international regulation on both global and regional levels. For Russia, the idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is also a part of its national strategy and policy of the accelerated development of the Russian Far East and Siberia – both natural and necessary parts of Asian and Eurasian space. So far, Eurasia has primarily been a geostrategic and philosophical concept, whereas the new strategy of Russia aims to revalue Eurasia in terms of rational cooperation.

THE PROSPECTS OF THE RUSSIAN-CHINESE HUMANITARIAN COOPERATION IN FRAMEWORK OF “ONE BELT, ONE ROAD” INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTATION

Introduction. Nowadays, the steadily growing relationship with the People’s Republic of China is one of the priority directions of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. According to the author of the present paper, new opportunities for active constructive interaction between the countries are provided with the One Belt and One Road Initiative (OBOR or BRI) adopted by China for the purpose of combination of efforts of the states for stable development of economy in the Eurasian space and peaceful co-existence of the people on the basis of the principles of openness, inclusivity of different civilizations, tolerance, safety, mutual benefit and training.The aimof the paper is to discuss the status and prospects of the RussianChinese cooperation in the humanitarian field and search for new narrative for development cooperation.Methodology and research methods. The research was performed with a support on philosophical and general scientific methods: comparative, structurally functional and system types of analysis, synthesis, generalization, and forecasting.Results and scientific novelty. The Russian-Chinese recent cooperation was considered. Special attention was given to education communication strategy as one of the reliable and checked channels of establishment and consolidation of international economic relations. The educational component of humanitarian interaction enables to provide effective tools for adjustment and support for the international dialogue and has an extensive range of opportunities for harmonization of cultural, social and even political standards.It is emphasized that further strengthening of the productive bilateral interaction of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation is prevented by its developed model which is under construction and functions mainly at the level of public authorities. In spite of the fact that the relations between two countries are on the rise, the potential of the existing model has become exhausted, and it is therefore necessary to search for other ways of future joint collaborative work. Strengthening of partnership requires the transition to multilateral cooperation with other states and mutual participation of Russia and China in the course of overcoming the social and economic imbalance in the zone of their shared interests – the territory of the revived Silk Road. The third countries located along its southern transit corridor, unlike the states of the northern direction, are characterized by the backwardness of economics, high unemployment rate, lack of the fair system of upward mobility, poverty and ignorance of the population, thus promoting the spread of religious extremism and escalation of international conflicts. The author proposed to involve the humanitarian sphere as the mechanism of the start of transcontinental infrastructure projects in order to normalize the social and economic situation in these regions, to overcome socio-cultural barriers and to achieve integration of economics of various states for the sake of their steady growth and effectivization. The coordinated actions of China, Russia and EU countries for the promotion and maintenance of modern models of education can become a decisive factor to stabilize and implement the One Belt and One Road Initiative in problematic regions. In the author’s view, partner States should focus on actions for modernization of national education systems and dissemination of scientific worldview, e.g. in the regions of the Northern Silk Road. Otherwise, the South will remain the centre of regularly military conflicts and terrorism financing, whereas the Russian and Chinese companies will continue to spend considerable personnel and financial resources for the safety of the ongoing joint projects.Practical significance. Materials of the research can be useful as a guide to reconsider the objectives of the Russian-Chinese alliance in the humanitarian sphere and generate new ideas on development and ways of implementation of the international educational programs.