Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : V. Samoylenko
Professor at the Moscow State Institute (University) of International Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Candidate of Science (History)
In the last few decades, Russia's foreign policy has increasingly
focused on Europe, the United States, the Balkans, and the Mid-
dle East, which may have suggested that relations with those
parts of the world are practically the sole concern of Moscow's
diplomacy. Russian diplomacy has been no less active on the
eastern front, although this may not have been quite so obvious.
Russia has never ceased looking for ways to protect its eastern
borders, to increase its economic and political presence in Asia-
Pacific, to organize effective cooperation with all countries in
the region, and to take part in all principal integration processes
in that area of the world.
The eastern vector has been increasingly pronounced and effec-
tive in Russian diplomacy as Russia has stood on its feet more
and more confidently, boosted its economic potential, and strengthened its international political
positions. Russia's multifaceted relations with China are a good example. Over the past few
decades, Russo-Chinese relations have traversed a long path from tension and mutual mistrust
to a strategic partnership encompassing practically all spheres of life in each country.
Political and economic cooperation with Asia-Pacific meets the key interests of Russia, especially
those of its Siberian and Far Eastern regions.
The main purpose of the Silk Road Economic Belt project is to create efficient transportation
and logistical systems, and build a modern transportation infrastructure based on a railroad sys-
tem, which would ensure safer and quicker delivery of Chinese goods to European markets.
This project would obviously bring about rapid economic growth in countries participating in it
and help raise the living standards of their population. Even a cursory glance at the map makes
clear that the largest section of this route would be located in Russia, helping solve Russian prob-
lems.
Mongolia's Steppe Road is a project smaller in scale and commensurable with the economic po-
tential and resources of that steppe republic. But it has the same essential aims to pursue. Mon-
golia seeks to be a link in the proposed transportation lines between Russia and China.
Russia has for quite a long time tried to step up its economic cooperation with Asia-Pacific coun-
tries, but this has not been easy with economic problems in Russia itself being the main obstacle.
The idea of Russo-Sino-Mongolian cooperation has taken a long time and a great deal of effort
to develop, largely because a negative historical record of Mongolian-Chinese relations caused
apprehensions in Ulaanbaatar.
Russia, China and Mongolia have set a strategy for cooperation that-fully meets their interests
http://interaffairs.ru
Russia, China and Mongolia: Prospects for Trilateral Cooperation