Eurasianism and the Concept of Central Caucaso-Asia

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Eldar Ismailov and Vladimer Papava
The region is attracting the attention of foreign investors in the energy
sphere, given the large supplies of oil and gas in three states (Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). 248 However, their authoritarian regimes
with presidential rule, 249 a high level of corruption, 250 an unsophisticated tax
system, underdeveloped banking system, non-protection of property rights,
and several other institutional problems, are all having a negative effect on
the investment climate. 251
While the three Central Asian countries mentioned above have oil and gas
supplies, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have large hydro-resources. 252 This
provides them with a real opportunity to form a common electric power
market in the region. 253
Despite the fact that rivalry over leadership in the region is still going on
between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, 254 it was these countries that, after
248 For example, Vladimir Babak, “The Oil and Gas Sector in Kazakhstan,” Central
Asia and the Caucasus, No. 4 (40) (2006), pp. 41-54; Sergey Kamenev, “Turkmenistan:
Energy Policy and Energy Projects,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 4 (22) (2003),
pp. 117-125; Murat Kenisarin, “The Energy Sector of Uzbekistan: Present State and
Problems,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 2 (26) (2004), pp. 124-137.
249 For example, Azhdar Kurtov, “Presidential Elections in Central Asia,” Central Asia
and the Caucasus, No. 6 (18) (2002), pp. 25-31.
250 For example, Erica Marat, The State-Crime Nexus in Central Asia: State Weakness,
Organized Crime, and Corruption in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Silk Road Paper,
(Washington: Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, October 2006), .
251 S. Frederick Starr, “The Investment Climate in Central Asia and the Caucasus,” in
Kalicki and Lawson, eds., Russian-Eurasian Renaissance? U.S. Trade and Investment in
Russia and Eurasia, pp. 73-91.
252 For example, Azhdar Kurtov, “Central Asia Deals with its Water Problems: A
View from Kyrgyzstan,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 6 (30) (2004), pp. 111-119;
Aziz Niyazi, “Tajikistan: Its Hydropower Resources and the Problems of their Use,”
Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 4 (22) (2003), pp. 109-117; Georgi Petrov, “Tajikistan’s
Hydropower Resources,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 3 (21) (2003), pp. 153-161;
Gennadi Petrov, “Tajikistan’s Energy Projects: Past, Present, and Future,” Central Asia
and the Caucasus, No. 5 (29) (2004), pp. 93-103.
253 For example, Gulmira Kurganbaeva, “The Fundamental Conceptional Principles of
Economic Integration in the Central Asian Countries,” Central Asia and the Caucasus,
No. 5 (29) (2004), pp. 156-160.
254 For example, Nabi Ziadullaev, “Central Asia in a Globalizing World.” Some
experts believe that there is no rivalry in the region between Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan. They regard it a false stereotype, since the latter, after signing an alliance
treaty with Russia in October 2005, voluntarily conceded leadership to Kazakhstan
(Farkhad Tolipov, “Central Asia is a Region of Five Stans,” Central Asia and the