ALEXEY SANDYKOV: «The Eurasian Economic Union is confidently following the path of its strategic development and no external influences will force it to either curtail or slow down»
Alexey Sandykov, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, a member of the Standing Commission of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on regional issues and issues of Eurasian integration, vice-president of the ‘New Era-New Ways’ World Forum, talks about the peculiarities of the development of integration processes in the post-Soviet space in an exclusive interview with our magazine.
– Mr Sandykov, how would you characterize the current situation in the field of the Eurasian integration?
– Given the unprecedented struggle, so to speak, of the collective West against Russia and its friendly countries, the dynamics of development demonstrated by the Eurasian Economic Union is encouraging.
At the same time, three or four years ago, many current potential partners of the Eurasian Union expressed fundamental doubts about the success of this integration project.
Just recently, the Eurasian Economic Commission published statistics for 2023, which show positive dynamics in absolutely all indicators. It can be stated that the Eurasian Economic Union has objectively been successfully realised and is developing confidently. Therefore, it is absolutely no coincidence that we are seeing an increase in the interest of the states of Greater Eurasia, the states of the African continent, and more distant states in increasing trade turnover and strengthening partnerships with the states of the Eurasian Economic Union.
– Do the sanctions of some states of the collective West create serious obstacles in building up these partnerships?
– Of course, the western sanctions play their negative role in the international context, but, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. The departure of many European and American companies from the Russian and – in a global sense – from the Eurasian market has opened up new opportunities.
On one hand, the states of the Eurasian Economic Union, except for Russia, are not yet subject to sanctions. However, the new situation has provided an additional impetus for the development of their internal potential. On the other hand, new opportunities have arisen for partner states – India, China, states of the African continent, which are definitely banking on the prospect of closer trade and economic cooperation with the Eurasian Union.
In general, the Eurasian Economic Union is confidently developing in accordance with the developed strategies, and no external influences will force it to either curtail or slow down.
– In your opinion, what areas of further strengthening of Eurasian integration are the most important and promising?
– It seems to me that now the dynamics of the development of the Eurasian Economic Union are shifting their vectors to the East. During a period of unprecedented sanctions, this has opened up significant opportunities for Russia to engage in industrial cooperation with enterprises from China, India, and Southeast Asia. In this regard, Russia has become an even more interesting market for Eastern partners.
However, in this difficult global situation, the Eurasian Economic Union, as one of the largest economic associations in terms of area and population, has also become an increasingly compelling economic partner, providing broad prospects for cooperation.
– What do you see as the fundamental feature of Eurasian integration in the context of global changes?
– Since the Eurasian Economic Union is still an economic association, the same principles of market regulation apply there as elsewhere. This is a classical economic system. However, there are significant and essential points. For instance, in the European Union, which has been in place for a considerable period, it is challenging for new players to emerge, introduce new technologies, and compete due to market saturation.
In this regard, the Eurasian Economic Union has much greater prospects. Of course, there were many more difficulties in connection with the formation of players, the definition of the rules of the game, the synchronization of legislation, and so on... But at the same time, we have more opportunities and a much more flexible internal model.
– In your opinion, what principles and foundations of Eurasian integration make such a partnership compelling for the states and people?
– One of the most important principles of our consolidation – we discussed this at our First Forum of the International Organization of Eurasian Cooperation – is studying the best experience of partner states, but at the same time – absolute non-interference in the internal processes of these states.
Our association is based on the mutually beneficial economic interests of states with the possibility of introducing the best experience of partners. And, as I have already mentioned, if the same European market is quite saturated and it is difficult to talk about potential expansion and further development within its framework, then the Eurasian market, in its dynamics, in its capabilities, obviously benefits significantly.
– What are the most serious challenges to integration processes today and tomorrow, in your opinion?
– If we look at the political aspect, then first of all these challenges are related to the events that are taking place around Russia and its partner states. We are witnessing unprecedented pressure, which, of course, creates a number of problems. However, the list of challenges does not end there. The lack of a coherent legislative framework as well as universal base of standards or let’s say common rules of the game for members of Eurasian Economic Union is a significant issue.
Of course, the synchronization process is underway. However, this is a rather capacious, voluminous and slow process that could and should be accelerated, since, in my opinion, the imperfection and insufficient unification of the legislative framework of the partner countries is one of the most significant challenges hindering the rapid growth of the Eurasian Economic Union.
– What are the most reliable options for overcoming these challenges?
– In order to cope with all challenges as effectively as possible, it is necessary to correctly use all the tools available today. As a representative of the legislative branch and as a parliamentarian who works in the Committee on Eurasian Integration, I can state that the main part of our legislative work is aimed precisely at unifying legislative acts and our agreements together with partner countries.
Not long ago, at the plenary session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, we ratified the agreements of the Eurasian Economic Union on subsidies and additional financing of cooperation projects that will be carried out within the EAEU. It seems to me that this will also become an important incentive and will give a certain additional impetus to the development of cooperation processes in our states.
– What is the key role of the Standing Commission on regional issues and Eurasian integration issues of the Armenian Parliament?
– Our commission has two main areas of work. The first is legislative, which includes the unification of our legislation with the laws of partner countries, ratification of relevant agreements, which we discuss within the committee. And the second direction is more diplomatic. As part of this work, we actively use a wide range of parliamentary diplomacy tools, including participation in various forums and congresses, advocating the ideas of deepening the Eurasian partnership and expanding it to the scale of Greater Eurasia.
– Can you outline the tasks your Commission is solving today and the objectives it has set for the future?
– In addition to the aforementioned, our commission’s current focus is to strengthen and develop ties with the Eurasian Economic Union with the states of the region. We are also actively working to harmonize and unify the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and other EAEU member states.
– What are the manifestations of integration processes in the Eurasian space today?
– Integration processes in the Eurasian space are quite active, despite the fact that the tasks are complex and quite large-scale, as I have already mentioned. The unification of legislation, the approval of common integration rules, and the deepening of economic cooperation are underway, since the Eurasian space is considered primarily an area of economic partnership.
Of course, all this is possible only if the will of the political leadership of each country coincides, with the deepeningоf cooperation at the political level. Moreover, the main priorities of integration are related to the economic benefits of cooperation. And, as history shows, the economic prospects for integration are the most reliable. If cooperation is mutually beneficial, then it is likely that both parties will seek ways to implement it.
– How do you feel about the geographic expansion of Eurasian integration, in which about 50 states are already expressing interest today? As a representative of Armenia, which states is Armenia primarily interested in establishing deeper integration with?
– It seems to me that Armenia is interested, first of all, in integration with the states of its region. Although, unresolved military-political issues with neighbouring countries can be a serious deterrent and interfering factor. In addition, Armenia is very interested in entering the Asian market through Iran. The African market is an appealing one for Armenian business, but still little known.
Although a number of high-tech companies from Armenia are already confidently exploring the IT market of the continent, among other things providing services to government agencies in a number of African states.
Of course, we are interested in India and China – these are huge markets and opportunities for selling their goods, as well as an excellent opportunity to develop economic cooperation, where partners combine each other’s potential in modern technologies, available raw materials, personnel, etc.
Of course, much is determined by logistics, for the successful functioning of which, first of all, peace in the region is needed. Now this very topic is perhaps the most serious limiting factor for deepening Armenia’s integration with other countries.
– So, in your opinion, there is now a slowdown in integration?
– Exactly. And these processes are determined by objective safety factors. You know that the unblocking of transport communications in the region is being discussed, the opening of new transport routes connecting Europe with Asia is being discussed... In addition, we are now going through a rather difficult period of making unpopular political decisions that are aimed at restoring peace in the region.
– What do you see as the special mission of the World Forum ‘New Era – New Ways’?
– The World Forum ‘New Era – New Ways’ is a fairly new organization, however, I am certain it has very high potential and already shows great promise today. The first offsite meeting of the World Forum ‘New Era – New Ways’ took place last fall in Bishkek. I also had the honor of participating in the event.
Naturally, as with any new organization, this forum requires a significant amount of organizational work. This includes the formation of relevant bodies and structures that will facilitate further development and growth. However, on the other hand, there is a lot of experience of international organizations that can and should be adopted and used.
In my personal opinion, this forum can become a worthy competitor to well-known international economic platforms, such as, for example, the Davos Economic Forum.
I would also like to emphasize that the World Forum ‘New Era – New Ways’ in the future will also become a large-scale platform for meetings of economists, lawyers, politicians, as well as representatives of scientific, industrial, cultural spheres, entrepreneurship and public organizations from different countries, where everyone will be given the chance to discuss opportunities and ways of integration, experiences, initiatives, and so on.
– How would you briefly describe the key goal of the World Forum ‘New Era –New Ways’?
– I would say that the key goal of the Forum (or at least one of the priorities) is to improve cooperation ties in the Eurasian space. At the same time, the main topics of the business section cover the most relevant and in-demand issues related to integration processes.
– In your opinion, how will the process of Eurasian integration develop in the coming years? What do you expect and predict?
– It must be repeated: Eurasian integration is making a turn to the East. The era of unprecedented sanctions has opened up wide opportunities for industrial cooperation with enterprises from China, India, Southeast Asia, and the EAEU can become an independent pole of attraction because it is self-sufficient.
We can also act as partners in regional megaprojects. In this regard, the idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is very promising. We are building this not to isolate ourselves and create a fortress, but to establish a genuine, extensive, and mutually beneficial partnership.