Cooperation between regions needed within Eurasian integration

Yesterday, the Fourth International Forum ‘Russia in the 21st century: Global Challenges and Prospects of Development’ opened on the platform of the Russian Economic University n.a. Plekhanov. Ilyas Umakhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, explained that the integration club is one of the mechanisms of interaction with the scientific and expert community. 

In recent years the CIS has become increasingly interested in the topic of integration. It was promoted as a positive event, I mentioned the expansion of the EAEC, and probably some negative factors such as the political crisis in Ukraine and its consequences, Umakhanov thinks.

“The need to create a common market, customs relief, investment and migration barriers are not doubted by anybody today. The question is with whom to unite, when, in what time frame and on what principles. The question is how to work out the scenarios forecast, including the impact of external factors. I think it is not necessary to understand that Eurasian integration has both supporters and opponents. In my opinion, it would be useful to hear principled opponents of Eurasian integration. Certainly not those who are on a wave of emotion involved to bare criticism, but people with opinions, figures and arguments. I think it helps us to choose the right guide.”

The Vice Speaker is sure that awareness-raising discussions with polar points of view will have a big effect on the current stage of the integration process: “For the vast majority of ordinary citizens of Russia and other countries, the benefits of Eurasian integration are not always well understood, not all are fully aware of the need for it. Scientists and experts in society can shape the broad support for our unification process, to ensure, so to speak, its ideological support in a round table format, through a variety of media.”

Now the EAEC member states are in a process of integration associated with the formation of a common market. “If Europe went all that way over decades, we have a much stricter time limit, otherwise we will not sustain competition with the knowledge economy, able to provide qualitatively different economic growth and social guarantees. This, of course, does not rule out cooperation with various integration associations, party movements.”

According to Umakhanov, “the Federation Council is focusing on the full support of the regional cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian integration processes. The advantage of inter-regional relations, including due to the fact that they are less politicized, allow partners at the regional level to make contact directly, without intermediaries. And it is already leading to a demonstrable effect and significantly increases the volume of our mutual cooperation.” 

In 2016 in St. Petersburg, the Forum of the CIS regions will be held. “This event will help to unite the efforts of all branches of government to improve the legal framework of interregional cooperation,” Umakhanov hopes.