Poisoned “carrots” for post-Soviet Republics
Sergey Kozhemyakin, Pravda, No.69 —
Trying to benefit from international rivalry, the ruling circles of the Central Asian republics are moving towards rapprochement with the West. Kyrgyzstan and the European Union signed an agreement on expanded partnership, Kazakhstan, together with Brussels, is building transport corridors bypassing Russia.
Only in beautiful fantasies or cunning propaganda constructions can power serve “all the people” and protect “national interests.” In reality, it is always and everywhere the organ of the ruling class. What is beneficial to the latter will be carried out by the state. Therefore, no matter how much we are indignant at the maneuvering and cynicism of bourgeois regimes, they simply cannot be otherwise. This is their nature.
Another turn – dizzying for an outside observer, but quite predictable from the point of view of their internal development – was made by the countries of Central Asia. On June 24-25, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov paid a visit to Brussels. There he met with the Belgian authorities, but the main purpose of the trip was to negotiate with the head of the European Council, Charles Michel. The communication turned out to be quite friendly, which implies the “multi-vector logic” of Bishkek and other capitals of the region. According to Japarov, Kyrgyzstan and the EU are on the historic threshold of a new level of cooperation. The guest described to the interlocutor all the benefits of strengthening contacts with the republic, inviting European business to increase investment. One of the industries where Kyrgyzstan will be happy to see Western capital is energy. According to the president, a special platform was recently created in Vienna with the World Bank for donors wishing to support the construction of the largest Kambarata hydroelectric power plant-1 in the republic. Japarov urged Michel to consider the prospects for cooperation, including the station in the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy.
Another “bait” for Brussels was rare earth metals. Following his colleagues from neighboring countries, having caught the “direction of the wind” (namely, the desire of the West to reduce dependence on China, the leading producer of this raw material), Japarov described the riches of Kyrgyzstan. Its subsoil, he reported, contains 17 metals, of which ten are in large quantities. Among them are lithium, niobium, gadolinium, europium, etc.
The basis for future joint projects is the agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation signed by Japarov and Michel. It replaced the previous one, concluded in 1999. As emphasized in Brussels, the new document will help deepen ties in many areas: trade and investment, research and innovation, the rule of law, human rights and civil society. “In addition, this makes it possible to strengthen cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy, including issues of conflict prevention and crisis management, risk reduction, cybersecurity, regional stability, disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control and export control,” the EU leadership notes.
Sadyr Japarov also raised with his interlocutor the issue of excluding Kyrgyz airlines from the “aviation security list” of the European Union. Under the pretext of non-compliance with a number of standards, they have been banned from flying to European countries since 2006. According to the president, the State Agency for Civil Aviation is working closely with the structures of the European Commission and has provided Brussels with a package of necessary documents.
Similar bans were in effect in relation to Kazakhstan, but in May they were completely lifted. This decision was made by the European Commission’s Flight Safety Committee at a meeting with the participation of representatives of the aviation authorities of all EU countries. Astana was praised for “a significant improvement in the effective functioning of the system of certification, control and supervision in the field of flight operation, maintaining flight readiness and licensing of aviation personnel.”
This is not the only “carrot” received by the republic from Brussels. Visiting Kazakhstan in June, the EU’s international special envoy for sanctions, David O’Sullivan, announced the launch of negotiations on simplifying visa procedures. “We have established a strategic partnership. The EU is Kazakhstan’s largest trading partner and the largest source of foreign direct investment. The simplification of the visa regime will contribute to the further strengthening of our cooperation,” the diplomat explained.
It is symptomatic that such statements are made by a person who oversees the implementation of anti-Russian sanctions. The West openly blackmails the Central Asian republics, alternating punishments and incentives. And now, handing out carrots with one hand, Western officials are holding a stick in the other. As part of the 14th package of sanctions against Moscow, the European Union has imposed restrictions against dozens of companies allegedly helping Russia obtain equipment for the military-industrial complex. Among them are firms from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. “These companies were involved in circumventing restrictions and participated in the procurement of components for the production of drones,” Brussels claims.
At the same time, O’Sullivan praised the Kazakh government for its progress in following the sanctions. According to him, there is a significant decline in the import and re-export of prohibited products through Kazakhstan.
Another area of EU activity in the region is the creation of transport routes bypassing Russia. Recently, Kazakhstan and the European Commission announced the creation of a coordination platform for the Trans-Caspian Corridor. Reportedly, the new structure will work on the practical issues of a “multimodal and competitive route linking Europe with Asia.” “The creation of the coordination platform provides us with a unique opportunity to join forces, exchange experience and opinions to achieve common goals. I would like to note that our partners from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, as well as Turkey have been invited to this work, which plays an important role in the light of the implementation of major and sustainable goals for the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route,” Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev did not hide his satisfaction.
The “multi-vector” policy turns the region into a puppet of the West, but the local elites do not think about it. They are used to evaluating events from the point of view of momentary benefits.