SCO ? factor of Central Eurasia integration

Alexander Alekseyevich, how important is realization of President Nazarbayev?s initiative on creation of the Union of Central Asian states, which was fully backed by President K. Bakiyev, in today?s crisis? The world recession has proved to be a powerful accelerator of many problems. Among the hardest risks connected with the world crisis is the sharp reduction of investment opportunities for western investors. It caused great difficulties in Kazakhstan, suspended many investment projects in the other Central Asian states. The situation forces the countries to search for new sources of financing. Russia is one of such investors. Foreign trade potential of Central Asian states does not involve an autonomous regime. Any regional union will need foreign boosting that comes mostly from Russia. However, Russia is evidently striving for minimum risks. Coordination of joint efforts of all countries of the region within the framework of existing integration institutes as CIS, SCO, EurAsEC and others can help here. The motivation on creation of the Union of Central Asian states has already been set up. But if we analyze the idea of the union establishment through the pragmatic aspect, it begs the question of overlapping of existing integration structures (EurAsEC, SCO, CIS, ECO an etc). Moreover, political elites of the region?s countries are not ready to delegate part of sovereignty and powers to supranational structures. It is the biggest obstacle to any form of integration. There exist other specific mechanisms of integration. In my opinion, one of them is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The SCO is a project based on healthy pragmatism of its members. I would like to emphasize that the organization needs expansion. The moratorium on the admission of new members leads to the loss of interest in the organization among the observer countries ? India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mongolia. The absence of prospects of direct participation can also disappoint Afghanistan, Turkey and South-East Asian countries that have taken interest in the SCO. Thus the organization should define its future: whether it will remain a club of six or take a more serious place in the world political process. By the way, these issues will be discussed at the oncoming conference on ?SCO as a factor of Central Asian integration: potential of observer states and neighbor countries? that will be held by our regional institute on June 5-6 in Issyk-Kul. Despite the continuous criticism and forecast of the?coming death? of the CIS, the organization exists and develops. What tendencies of the CIS development dominate and what need enhancement? In one of his speeches President K. Bakiyev suggested holding of the CIS Summit in the middle of summer in Issyk-Kul. What political aspects of the Commonwealth should be considered first of all? I think the CIS need particular depoliticization. Interaction is determined by the common past and present history and we need it. The CIS is a mechanism for solution of the current problems. There exist other ways for solution of the political issues. And it would be better to address practical issues within the CIS, putting aside political disagreements. There were a lot of discords around the issue of the ATC base in the Manas airport. What is better ? to have the base or not to have it? From the one side, yes, it is not bad to get easy money. But strategically it is a great minus for the foreign political image of Kyrgyzstan, at least, in the eyes of strategic partners. It is not a secret that the base is an irritator for Russia and Kazakhstan. Due to its presence at the Kyrgyz territory, the republic becomes ?weak component? in the SCO and the CSTO. It also concerns the issue of trust in the investment sphere. The region and the CIS as a whole are permitted to chair the OCSE for the first time. What do you expect from the Kazakhstan?s OCSE chairmanship in 2010? In your opinion, what can Kazakhstan contribute to the activity of the Organization? I am skeptical about the OSCE. Being established as a tool of dialogue in the period of the cold war, the Organization couldn?t find its place in the changing world. Marginalization of the issues of security ? the issues that organization was established for ? happened. The CSO have all chances to effectively replace the OSCE in the Eurasian space. Maybe, the Kazakhstan?s chairmanship is the last chance for the OSCE to reform and extend the term of its importance. But it will happen only in case if Kazakhstan, chairing the Organization, will address the issues of reformation. Thank you for the interview.