By BELTA
In a few weeks the Eurasian Economic Union will begin its operation in the new format of a quartet. On the one hand, many experts believe the integration project is very promising; on the other hand, it begins its operation in difficult times. The editor-in-chief of Vestnik Kavkaza, Maria Sidelnikova, told BELTA about the challenges for the new union, cooperation with its neighbors and prospects of a Ukrainian settlement.
- What is your view on the prospects for Belarusian-Russian relations?
- There are big prospects in cooperation in the agricultural sphere. In the context of import displacement, people will be glad to see that “plastic” Western apples are disappearing from stores. In Belarus, products are of high quality. Of course, there are prospects in the sphere of transit, industry and meteorology, in which Belarusian experts have achieved big successes – even the West admits their high professionalism. In general we have something to offer each other. We have interesting joint projects at the moment. The project of producing Belarusian buses on gas fuel is at the testing stage, and Gazprom has already voiced its interest in the project. Construction of NPP is an important direction. Belarus is a very important partner for Russia. Obviously, in difficult geopolitical consequences Moscow and Minsk will try to intensify their cooperation.
- The EAEU begins its operation in January, and Armenia will participate in it. What do you think about it? Armenia has problems with relations with its Caucasus neighbors.
- The integration processes in which Armenia takes part don’t prevent other future members of the EAEU, including Russia, from development of relations with Azerbaijan. It's no secret that Azerbaijan is the economic leader of the South Caucasus; and in 2013 the trade turnover between Baku and Moscow was $2.583 billion (between Russia and Armenia - $1.445 billion; between Russia and Georgia - $780 million). Along with integration of Armenia into the EAEU, Russia is extending the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. This is confirmed by numerous meetings between top officials. In August 2013 the head of Russia Vladimir Putin visited Baku, in summer and autumn 2015 – the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu. The Speaker of the Council of the Federation Valentina Matviyenko visited the Fourth Baku Humanitarian Forum. Moreover, the Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin visited Baku; he signed about 40 contracts on food supplies, it determined direct cooperation between the city of Moscow and Baku. Moreover, Russia and Azerbaijan have joint regional projects. Azerbaijan invests in the North Caucasus – Stavropol Territory, Dagestan and other republics. However, the problem of occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory and its territorial integrity prevents Baku from integration processes.
As for the accession of Armenia to the EAEU, of course it is a big positive event. For sure, settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and elimination of the economic blockade could establish more beneficial and real geographic opportunities for economic cooperation between the countries of the region in general and for the EAEU in particular.
- Considering the South Caucasus in a broader sense, we can speak about relations with Turkey. What are its interests toward the EAEU?
- Turkey’s interest is hardly to be overestimated. Today, in the context of Russian sanctions against Western food products, outlet markets have begun to thin out, and Ankara wants to fill them up. The only problem is that customs issues prevent Turkish business from full-scale entrance to the Russian market. However, certain negotiations are being conducted on the problem. In December the Russian-Turkish Business Council headed by President Vladimir Putin and President Recep Erdogan should take place. I think certain agreements will be reached there.
- What are the current risks for the EAEU and the whole post-Soviet space, including Central Asia?
- There are big risks. First of all, there is Ukraine. Everybody should learn the lesson. In general, many of Ukraine’s problems are similar to the problems of other states. I mean the big gap between the rich and the poor; the fact that elites don’t want to understand the interests of ordinary citizens; the absence of a consolidating idea and clear coordination between regions.
As for Central Asia, there is a threat of international terrorism, withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the activeness of Islamic State. Recently the Secretary General of the CSTO, Nikolai Bordyuzha, stated that due to worsening of Russian-Western relations, many contacts in the struggle against international terrorism have been cancelled. In this situation, terrorist intensification is growing, and it influences the South and the North Caucasus for sure.
- What do you think about the talks on Ukraine in Minsk?
- I would like to note the role of the President of Belarus in the organization of the Minsk talks. Of course, the Minsk meeting plays a big role in the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. Minsk is becoming a real platform for conducting international talks, where serious problems of global importance are being solved.
- Is the role of the Minsk platform important for a settlement of the Ukrainian problem?
- Belarus is a brotherly country; the Belarusians are a brotherly nation for Ukraine and its population. So it is no surprise that Minsk has become the most effective platform for conducting talks on a Ukrainian settlement. Speaking about such tough conflicts inside one nation, conflicting parties will not come together if they talk on the “neutral territories” of countries which are in fact interested in maintaining war. Meanwhile, Belarus can do its best for Ukraine, as it wishes peace to its neighbor, friend and brother. I think the choice of Minsk as a platform for negotiations between Kiev and Donbass is absolutely right.
