The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will celebrate its 30th anniversary very soon. During this time, the member countries of the commonwealth have acquired their own history, joined various organizations, both within the union and outside it. Many are skeptical about the organization, but, nevertheless, for the participating countries themselves, being a member, borne certain fruit. In addition, large projects are being implemented within the CIS, such as, for example, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In this case, the CIS can serve as a point for the expansion of the EAEU. Last week, the expert community of the Commonwealth countries decided to discuss the prospects of the CIS during the conference "30 years of the CIS: what will be the new stage of development of the interstate association", which was organized by the Pikir club of regional experts of Kyrgyzstan.
Expert Igor Shestakov noted at the meeting that over the years of its existence, the association, which was created in order to preserve economic ties between the countries that were part of the USSR, as well as to resolve security issues, went through various stages.
“Within the framework of this organization, very important mechanisms were introduced, which are still working today - this is a visa-free regime between the member states of the Commonwealth and the free trade zone. It is also a very important platform for building a dialogue between the leaders of the countries. Despite the pandemic and the difficulties of the national economies of the Commonwealth countries, an increase in trade and economic indicators was noted this year, there are prospects for building up industrial cooperation, developing cooperation in the health sector in overcoming the pandemic. The topic of ensuring security on the southern borders of the CIS has also become more relevant in connection with the events in Afghanistan. Another unconditional advantage of the CIS is that all meetings are conducted in Russian. Thus, Russian remains the official language of communication in many member countries of the organization,” the expert noted.
Economist, employee of the Institute for Economic Policy Research under the Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan Nurgul Akimova spoke in her speech about the economic prospects of the CIS.
“The Commonwealth countries have agreed and adopted a strategy until 2028. According to the authors of the document, its implementation will allow the CIS member states to achieve an increase in real GDP by 2.4-2.7 times. The level of mutual trade and labor productivity will grow 2.5-3 times. But the energy intensity of a unit of GDP will decrease by 70%. At the end of the period, expenses for science will reach 3-4% of GDP, and for education, as well as for health care - 5-6%. The level of real incomes per capita will also grow - according to forecasts, 3.3–3.7 times,” the expert said.
She noted that the integration of the EAEU and the CIS is at different levels today, but they have a common goal - to bring the methods of regulation closer and create favorable conditions for development.
Expert, Director of the Eurasian Analytical Center (Moscow) Nikita Mendkovich noted that the main reason for the creation of new blocs and associations is the creation of a deeper integration platform, while the CIS is still of interest both for Moscow and for other capitals of the association.
“Within the framework of the Commonwealth, there is a free trade zone, where tariff fees are limited, where conditions for a free market have been created, but the same conditions in the EAEU are deeper and give a greater degree of freedom. But one does not cancel the other. I think everyone understands that the conditions of the Commonwealth of Independent States are still of great importance for the mass of businessmen, especially from states that are not yet members of the Eurasian Union. In addition, through this association, for example, interaction in the area of combating terrorism is mainly carried out. The CIS Anti-Terrorist Center is still the main platform for the exchange of information about terrorist organizations, militants who have left for hot spots, etc.,” the expert said.
He does not exclude that over time the CIS will give way to new platforms for unification.
“I don’t think that all problems have been resolved within the framework of certain organizations, but we will definitely not be able to work more efficiently and even be at the existing level without such formats of dialogue and cooperation. Yes, we have something to work on, we have something to agree on, but objectively, we have achieved quite a lot, thanks to multilateral cooperation,” Nikita Mendkovich said.
The Commonwealth of Independent States is the most representative regional interstate organization, which covers for 16% of the world's territory, 5% of the world's population, as well as 40% of the world's natural gas reserves, 20% of oil and 25% of coal. The CIS GDP is about 5% of the world, Pavel Danilov, chairman of the Sphere Political Scientists Club (Nizhny Novgorod) told.
“Our countries need to realize this and act in this paradigm. In terms of economics, our association is also in quite significant positions. And in terms of the military component in the first place at all. Together we are real powerful force. We must always remember what brings us together and what can separate us. And competitors strive to embroil us, who cannot come to terms with the fact that we, in spite of everything, are developing. We also need to pay attention to the healthy conservatism that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about. We have many competitors, but we must protect our markets, our politicians, our technologies, our industry, and much more,” the expert noted.
He also expressed confidence in the prospects of the CIS, stressing that the countries of the Commonwealth have all the necessary resources for the implementation of any global project, but they must be formulated together.
“Whichever road you take, everywhere our common strength will make its way. It is important to provide working administrative communications, quick passage of initiatives from solution to implementation,” Pavel Danilov added.
A similar point of view was expressed by political scientist, publicist, head of the political club "South Caucasus" Ilgar Velizade.
“Despite criticism, the CIS continues stays being an important platform, which, from a practical point of view, allows us to meet our current needs in a number of important areas - these are trade and economic ties, and the common labor market, and security. We must not forget about the existence of a common humanitarian and information space, which continues to remain such, despite certain peculiarities inherent in each of the countries. All these factors continue to act as cementing and uniting conditions,” the expert said.
Kabar News Agency
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