IGOR FILKEVICH, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Economic Strategies, Chief Researcher at the International Research Institute for Management Problems specially for the ‘Eurasian Dialogue’ magazine
Historians believe that the idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership was first voiced by Nikolai Danilevsky. In 1869, in his work ‘Russia and Europe’, Nikolai Danilevsky defined the special mission of Russia in the integration process. He believed that many modern civilizations, unfortunately, seek to enslave or capture other civilizations, and only the Russian Empire, in his opinion, could become a key center of integration that would unite the peoples of the whole world. In the same work, he put forward the idea of a Pan-Slavic Union led by the Russian Empire, which should extend from the Adriatic Sea to the Pacific Ocean with its capital in Constantinople.
Subsequently, the idea of creating a special Eurasia was formulated by other researchers: in particular, Russian emigrants including Pyotr Savitsky, Nikolai Trubetskoy, and Archpriest Georgy Florovsky made a significant contribution to the development of Eurasianism. They believed that Eurasianism in general is rooted in Russia which is the cornerstone for the formation of the concept of the integrity of the Eurasian space. At the same time, the difficulties of access to the sea for many countries of Central Asia and for states located in the steppe zone give rise to an additional need for integration with Russia. And most importantly, for a number of reasons, Russia is able to act as a center that could develop the Eurasian space as a whole.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a new idea of the Eurasian space was put forward by the leaders of the states that emerged in the post-Soviet space. The idea of creating the Eurasian Economic Union was put forward by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev back in 1994, thanks to the implementation of this idea, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Customs Union and in 2015 the EAEU were created.
The Great Eurasian Partnership (GEP) is a specific, practical initiative of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, put forward in his Address to the Federal Assembly in 2015 in order to form a broad integration outline on the Eurasian continent. As noted by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin: ‘We propose to think about creating a Great Eurasian Partnership with the participation of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as states with which we already have close relations: China, India, Pakistan, Iran. And, of course, I mean our partners in the CIS, other interested states and associations’ // Putin, V. The project of ‘Greater Eurasia’ is open to Europe too // Rossiyskaya Gazeta. – 2016. – June 19. – URL: https://rg.ru/2016/06/19/reg-szfo/vladimir-putin-proektbolshojevrazii-otkryt-i-dlia-evropy.html (date of access: 04/21/2023)/.
Currently, the foundations of the Greater Eurasian Partnership are certainly being formed. Moreover, they are formed by implementing multi-speed integration in various formats and communities. The main initiators of such a partnership are Russia and China, which in 2013 put forward its ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, aimed at harmonizing the terms of economic, cultural and scientific partnership with different countries of the world. At the moment, the Chinese initiative already covers about 150 countries around the world. Thus, China also shows great interest in this topic, and the Russian Federation, undoubtedly, is the locomotive that implements the proposed idea.
The basis for the Greater Eurasian Partnership was the former Soviet Union in the format of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which was formalized in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, the idea of creating a Union State of Russia and Belarus emerged, which is being implemented in practice as successful cooperation between the two countries on many issues.
For example, 28 priority areas have now been identified in the development of Russia’s partnership with Belarus within the framework of the so-called ‘union projects’ or ‘union programs’. The next important link was, of course, our Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). It was created in stages, and the idea itself was important and interesting.
The first attempt to create a Common Economic Space of the largest countries of the former Soviet Union was made by Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine back in 2003 within the framework of the Yalta Forum. However, the so-called ‘first Maidan’ that occurred later essentially excluded Ukraine from this integration process.
In 2006, when Ukraine refused to participate in the creation of such an economic and political space, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, while still in the EurAsEC format, decided to establish Common Economic Space and Customs Union. Since 2010, the prerequisites have been created for the integration of these countries. Currently, the Eurasian Economic Union has already been established, which forms both a single customs space and a common economic space.
At the same time, the strategic directions for the development of Eurasian economic integration until 2025, within the framework of the EAEU, outline the need to move towards the creation of a Greater Eurasian Partnership. This partnership should cover international trade, investment projects, the creation of a common transport network, the formation of economic zones of favorable cooperation and development in the form of particular Special zones, the creation of new formats of energy partnership and a common energy market, and so on.
It is also announced that a new financial model will be created, de-dollarization will be carried out on the territory of the Eurasian Partnership, with the eventual complete rejection of the dollar in payments. It is the EAEU that currently serves as the basis for the new economic space being formed within the framework of these processes, which may ubsequently develop into the Greater Eurasian Partnership.
It should be noted that the relationships that Russia has with China and other Eurasian countries predetermine the close economic, political and military partnership of our countries. It is no coincidence that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) initially emerged as a project designed to ensure the security of states, which over time was filled with economic content and the idea of creating common transport corridors, and in the future it will be filled with other important components, given that at present the EAEU actively cooperates with China.
In 2023, a plan was adopted for the development of trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and China, which includes three key sections. This is the digitalization of transport corridors, establishing a dialogue on foreign trade policy issues and, finally, conducting joint scientific research to determine the prospects for the development of a large economic space and deepening trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and China.
Of course, BRICS plays an important role along with the SCO, and the format of BRICS expansion from five to ten countries opens up the possibility of involving in these processes not only countries located in the Eurasian space, but also key partners from Africa and Latin America. This is an opportunity to create new conditions for closer, more global relationships. An important aspect of the development of cooperation is the fact that Asia is currently acquiring special importance for deepening economic cooperation between Russia and promoting Russian goods to foreign markets. It is no coincidence that India, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and many other countries are now key trading partners for Russia.
The idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is based on a number of key concepts that were formulated in past centuries, but are still relevant today. This is, first of all, the opportunity to provide access to sea arteries for countries located outside the traditional waterways. If we look at the concept of ‘Greater Eurasia’, it is no coincidence that the key task is the formation of new transport arteries and the possibility of partnership in developing sea and land traffic for uninterrupted and faster delivery of goods to different parts of the world. For example, during the 2023-2024 crisis, logistical challenges arose in the Persian Gulf.
This prompted a global examination of Russia’s execution of the Northern Sea Route development plan, while also supporting China’s efforts to revive the ‘Maritime Silk Road’. Economically, both of these international projects are more than viable. For example, the delivery of goods from the European part to China via the Northern Sea Route turns out to be much more profitable than through other transport corridors.
Firstly, the cargo is delivered several times faster, and secondly, the costs are much lower. And the use of icebreaker transport guarantees almost year-round navigation. In addition, the creation of new transport corridors is also actively underway. For instance, the inclusion of Iran in BRICS opens up good prospects for the promotion of Russian goods, which is supported by cooperation with Azerbaijan, which acts as a key logistics hub for land transport arteries to Iran, Turkey and other southern countries.
For the Russian Federation, the implementation of the idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is very important. It is no coincidence that within the framework of the concept of Russian foreign policy, which was adopted in 2023, the Greater Eurasian Partnership is considered as a flagship foreign policy project, characterized by a broad integration framework of relations with the EAEU, SCO, ASEAN and other regional unions, as well as with the Chinese idea of ‘One Belt, One Road’.
The aforementioned ASEAN, with which a close partnership is currently developing, opens up wide opportunities for advancement into the countries of Southeast Asia, which are characterized by dynamic development and can provide significant advantages for the Russian Federation. Besides, these countries –Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia – demonstrate rapid economic growth.
Moreover, Indonesia is becoming one of the key promising countries, which ready al occupies a worthy place in the top 10 of the world economy in terms of GDP.
The development of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is aimed, among other things, at involving different countries in the implementation of certain projects on the basis of multi-level integration. Furthermore, the economic interest of states in the implementation of projects is at the forefront here. In fact, even after Georgia left the CIS, it continues to participate in working groups of the Commonwealth of Independent States on issues that are important to the country it. And in the same format, countries can be attracted to the EAEU working groups, which in the future can first become observers of the EAEU, and then full partners.
I think that in the coming decades the idea of a Greater Eurasian Partnership will acquire clearer contours, since in the scientific world this idea is quite actively discussed and supported by many researchers – both Russian and from other countries. As everyone recognizes the special significance of the Eurasian continent and the importance of uniting the efforts of all peoples integrating into a single community, taking into account the social, economic and cultural traditions of each nation.
The ideas of the Greater Eurasian Partnership are already being actively promoted by Russia through various foreign economic instruments. In particular, the EAEU already has free trade agreements with Vietnam and Serbia, and similar documents have been signed with Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and India. In addition, an agreement has been concluded with China. All this is being promoted as part of the implementation of strategic directions for the development of global integration. Relations between the SCO and ASEAN have strengthened. Relations with countries that are included in BRICS are expanding.
For example, at the moment there is already a temporary agreement with Iran on a free trade zone. We strive to create conditions for the world to be stable and for all countries located on the Eurasian continent to achieve real economic benefits from integration and cooperation with the Russian Federation.
Russia is making every effort to ensure that the Greater Eurasian Partnership, which is being formed, becomes a real partnership and provides benefits for all participating countries. After all, this project aims to develop all countries involved without any economic dictation from more developed nations. On the contrary: within the framework of this partnership, it is planned to provide real support to less developed countries and create favorable conditions for their economic development, maintain stability in these countries and strengthen the conditions for fruitful cooperation within the entire Greater Eurasian Partnership.
This is precisely the model we see in the in the Russian Federation’s relations within the EAEU, where, for example, there is active support for Kyrgyzstan, which is the least economically developed country of the Union. Partners do not force Kyrgyzstan to close its production in the interests of more competitive products from another country. Kyrgyzstan has successfully maintained all its economic projects that it implemented before joining the EAEU, and is now receiving serious support in developing its economic potential. And if before joining the EAEU, Kyrgyzstan experienced constant political upheavals, now the number of such disturbances has significantly decreased.
It should also be noted that the Greater Eurasian Partnership aims to implement close forms of cooperation in ensuring security – through the formation of a special peaceful environment, where, taking into account many years of experience and common history, different countries could overcome historical contradictions and build a stable community aimed at resolving disputes and problems without conflict.
Finally, I would like to provide some clarification on the terminology. We are talking specifically about the ‘Greater’ Eurasian Partnership, because this term corresponds to the realities of the project. The so-called ‘Eurasian Partnership’ refers to relations within the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Greater Eurasian Partnership involves the participation of a much larger number of countries, including those with which clear economic, and often political, relationships have not yet been built. In addition, countries from other continents – Africa, South America – are expected to participate in the Greater Eurasian Partnership... It is no coincidence that China, in its ‘One Belt, One Road’ project, is building relationships with all continents.
Another aspect in favor of the term ‘Greater’ is related to the fact that within the framework of the project, not only economic, but also scientific, cultural, historical diversity and potentials of countries and peoples will be developed.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a new idea of the Eurasian space was put forward by the leaders of the states that emerged in the post-Soviet space. The idea of creating the Eurasian Economic Union was put forward by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev back in 1994, thanks to the implementation of this idea, the Eurasian Economic Community, the Customs Union and in 2015 the EAEU were created.
The Great Eurasian Partnership (GEP) is a specific, practical initiative of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, put forward in his Address to the Federal Assembly in 2015 in order to form a broad integration outline on the Eurasian continent. As noted by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin: ‘We propose to think about creating a Great Eurasian Partnership with the participation of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as states with which we already have close relations: China, India, Pakistan, Iran. And, of course, I mean our partners in the CIS, other interested states and associations’ // Putin, V. The project of ‘Greater Eurasia’ is open to Europe too // Rossiyskaya Gazeta. – 2016. – June 19. – URL: https://rg.ru/2016/06/19/reg-szfo/vladimir-putin-proektbolshojevrazii-otkryt-i-dlia-evropy.html (date of access: 04/21/2023)/.
Currently, the foundations of the Greater Eurasian Partnership are certainly being formed. Moreover, they are formed by implementing multi-speed integration in various formats and communities. The main initiators of such a partnership are Russia and China, which in 2013 put forward its ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, aimed at harmonizing the terms of economic, cultural and scientific partnership with different countries of the world. At the moment, the Chinese initiative already covers about 150 countries around the world. Thus, China also shows great interest in this topic, and the Russian Federation, undoubtedly, is the locomotive that implements the proposed idea.
The basis for the Greater Eurasian Partnership was the former Soviet Union in the format of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which was formalized in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, the idea of creating a Union State of Russia and Belarus emerged, which is being implemented in practice as successful cooperation between the two countries on many issues.
For example, 28 priority areas have now been identified in the development of Russia’s partnership with Belarus within the framework of the so-called ‘union projects’ or ‘union programs’. The next important link was, of course, our Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). It was created in stages, and the idea itself was important and interesting.
The first attempt to create a Common Economic Space of the largest countries of the former Soviet Union was made by Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine back in 2003 within the framework of the Yalta Forum. However, the so-called ‘first Maidan’ that occurred later essentially excluded Ukraine from this integration process.
In 2006, when Ukraine refused to participate in the creation of such an economic and political space, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, while still in the EurAsEC format, decided to establish Common Economic Space and Customs Union. Since 2010, the prerequisites have been created for the integration of these countries. Currently, the Eurasian Economic Union has already been established, which forms both a single customs space and a common economic space.
At the same time, the strategic directions for the development of Eurasian economic integration until 2025, within the framework of the EAEU, outline the need to move towards the creation of a Greater Eurasian Partnership. This partnership should cover international trade, investment projects, the creation of a common transport network, the formation of economic zones of favorable cooperation and development in the form of particular Special zones, the creation of new formats of energy partnership and a common energy market, and so on.
It is also announced that a new financial model will be created, de-dollarization will be carried out on the territory of the Eurasian Partnership, with the eventual complete rejection of the dollar in payments. It is the EAEU that currently serves as the basis for the new economic space being formed within the framework of these processes, which may ubsequently develop into the Greater Eurasian Partnership.
It should be noted that the relationships that Russia has with China and other Eurasian countries predetermine the close economic, political and military partnership of our countries. It is no coincidence that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) initially emerged as a project designed to ensure the security of states, which over time was filled with economic content and the idea of creating common transport corridors, and in the future it will be filled with other important components, given that at present the EAEU actively cooperates with China.
In 2023, a plan was adopted for the development of trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and China, which includes three key sections. This is the digitalization of transport corridors, establishing a dialogue on foreign trade policy issues and, finally, conducting joint scientific research to determine the prospects for the development of a large economic space and deepening trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and China.
Of course, BRICS plays an important role along with the SCO, and the format of BRICS expansion from five to ten countries opens up the possibility of involving in these processes not only countries located in the Eurasian space, but also key partners from Africa and Latin America. This is an opportunity to create new conditions for closer, more global relationships. An important aspect of the development of cooperation is the fact that Asia is currently acquiring special importance for deepening economic cooperation between Russia and promoting Russian goods to foreign markets. It is no coincidence that India, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and many other countries are now key trading partners for Russia.
The idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is based on a number of key concepts that were formulated in past centuries, but are still relevant today. This is, first of all, the opportunity to provide access to sea arteries for countries located outside the traditional waterways. If we look at the concept of ‘Greater Eurasia’, it is no coincidence that the key task is the formation of new transport arteries and the possibility of partnership in developing sea and land traffic for uninterrupted and faster delivery of goods to different parts of the world. For example, during the 2023-2024 crisis, logistical challenges arose in the Persian Gulf.
This prompted a global examination of Russia’s execution of the Northern Sea Route development plan, while also supporting China’s efforts to revive the ‘Maritime Silk Road’. Economically, both of these international projects are more than viable. For example, the delivery of goods from the European part to China via the Northern Sea Route turns out to be much more profitable than through other transport corridors.
Firstly, the cargo is delivered several times faster, and secondly, the costs are much lower. And the use of icebreaker transport guarantees almost year-round navigation. In addition, the creation of new transport corridors is also actively underway. For instance, the inclusion of Iran in BRICS opens up good prospects for the promotion of Russian goods, which is supported by cooperation with Azerbaijan, which acts as a key logistics hub for land transport arteries to Iran, Turkey and other southern countries.
For the Russian Federation, the implementation of the idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is very important. It is no coincidence that within the framework of the concept of Russian foreign policy, which was adopted in 2023, the Greater Eurasian Partnership is considered as a flagship foreign policy project, characterized by a broad integration framework of relations with the EAEU, SCO, ASEAN and other regional unions, as well as with the Chinese idea of ‘One Belt, One Road’.
The aforementioned ASEAN, with which a close partnership is currently developing, opens up wide opportunities for advancement into the countries of Southeast Asia, which are characterized by dynamic development and can provide significant advantages for the Russian Federation. Besides, these countries –Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia – demonstrate rapid economic growth.
Moreover, Indonesia is becoming one of the key promising countries, which ready al occupies a worthy place in the top 10 of the world economy in terms of GDP.
The development of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is aimed, among other things, at involving different countries in the implementation of certain projects on the basis of multi-level integration. Furthermore, the economic interest of states in the implementation of projects is at the forefront here. In fact, even after Georgia left the CIS, it continues to participate in working groups of the Commonwealth of Independent States on issues that are important to the country it. And in the same format, countries can be attracted to the EAEU working groups, which in the future can first become observers of the EAEU, and then full partners.
I think that in the coming decades the idea of a Greater Eurasian Partnership will acquire clearer contours, since in the scientific world this idea is quite actively discussed and supported by many researchers – both Russian and from other countries. As everyone recognizes the special significance of the Eurasian continent and the importance of uniting the efforts of all peoples integrating into a single community, taking into account the social, economic and cultural traditions of each nation.
The ideas of the Greater Eurasian Partnership are already being actively promoted by Russia through various foreign economic instruments. In particular, the EAEU already has free trade agreements with Vietnam and Serbia, and similar documents have been signed with Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and India. In addition, an agreement has been concluded with China. All this is being promoted as part of the implementation of strategic directions for the development of global integration. Relations between the SCO and ASEAN have strengthened. Relations with countries that are included in BRICS are expanding.
For example, at the moment there is already a temporary agreement with Iran on a free trade zone. We strive to create conditions for the world to be stable and for all countries located on the Eurasian continent to achieve real economic benefits from integration and cooperation with the Russian Federation.
Russia is making every effort to ensure that the Greater Eurasian Partnership, which is being formed, becomes a real partnership and provides benefits for all participating countries. After all, this project aims to develop all countries involved without any economic dictation from more developed nations. On the contrary: within the framework of this partnership, it is planned to provide real support to less developed countries and create favorable conditions for their economic development, maintain stability in these countries and strengthen the conditions for fruitful cooperation within the entire Greater Eurasian Partnership.
This is precisely the model we see in the in the Russian Federation’s relations within the EAEU, where, for example, there is active support for Kyrgyzstan, which is the least economically developed country of the Union. Partners do not force Kyrgyzstan to close its production in the interests of more competitive products from another country. Kyrgyzstan has successfully maintained all its economic projects that it implemented before joining the EAEU, and is now receiving serious support in developing its economic potential. And if before joining the EAEU, Kyrgyzstan experienced constant political upheavals, now the number of such disturbances has significantly decreased.
It should also be noted that the Greater Eurasian Partnership aims to implement close forms of cooperation in ensuring security – through the formation of a special peaceful environment, where, taking into account many years of experience and common history, different countries could overcome historical contradictions and build a stable community aimed at resolving disputes and problems without conflict.
Finally, I would like to provide some clarification on the terminology. We are talking specifically about the ‘Greater’ Eurasian Partnership, because this term corresponds to the realities of the project. The so-called ‘Eurasian Partnership’ refers to relations within the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Greater Eurasian Partnership involves the participation of a much larger number of countries, including those with which clear economic, and often political, relationships have not yet been built. In addition, countries from other continents – Africa, South America – are expected to participate in the Greater Eurasian Partnership... It is no coincidence that China, in its ‘One Belt, One Road’ project, is building relationships with all continents.
Another aspect in favor of the term ‘Greater’ is related to the fact that within the framework of the project, not only economic, but also scientific, cultural, historical diversity and potentials of countries and peoples will be developed.