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Author : V. Petrovsky
Chief Research Associate, Institute for Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Full
Member of the Academy of Military Science, Russia, Doctor of Science (Political Science)
THE GREATER EURASIAN PARTNERSHIP
(GEP) initiative, which is being put into effect before
our very eyes, has become a subject of scholarly and
public polemics, but most importantly, there is an ob-
vious desire to understand challenges and opportu-
nities that it involves.
The GEP idea was formulated by Russian President
Vladimir Putin in a message to the Russian parlia-
ment on December 3, 2015.
The GEP concept has deep historical roots. It can be traced to heated political battles between
the Slavophiles and Westerners. Those bitter disputes were about choosing the path of develop-
ment for Russia.
But leaving polemics aside, it is essential to understand the geoeco-nomics behind the GEP idea
and practical reasons for it. Apparently, the main reason are expectations of opportunities for
near - and medium-term economic integration in the EAEU format that are based on objective
assessments.
Another serious and pragmatic reason for the GEP idea is Russia's concern over the declining
role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the emergence of closed regional trade asso-
ciations.
The GEP initiative is a way for Russia to adopt a rapid development strategy by quickly organ-
izing industrial facilities based on new technologies and developing new forms of its international
economic cooperation.
While putting forward the GEP initiative in his December 2015 address to parliament, Putin
stressed that "this partnership should be based on principles of equality and mutual interest."
Effectively, the GEP initiative is already being put into practice. Today, the important element
of this process is the project for the integration of the EAEU with Silk Road Economic Belt,
and the first stage in implementing it will be a planned comprehensive trade and economic agree-
ment between the EAEU and China.
Today's main task is to choose institutional forms to make the building of such a community of
interests and values in Central Eurasia an irreversible process.
Hence, the GEP may become the embryo of a new, more rational, and more just world order,
which is based on multipolarity, sovereign equality, respect for all cultures, religions and civiliza-
tions, and inclusive and non-discriminatory international cooperation.
Электронное приложение к журналу «Международная жизнь»
The Greater Eurasian Partnership Project: Challenges and Opportu-
nities