Eurasianism and the Concept of Central Caucaso-Asia

Rethinking Central Eurasia 67
signing the Agreement on Intensifying Economic Integration between them
in 1993, initiated economic integration in Central Asia between 1994 and
2000. 255 In 1994, these countries signed the Treaty on a Single Economic Area.
Soon after, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan joined it. 256 In 1998, these states
formed a regional organization called the Central Asian Economic
Cooperation (CAEC). In 2002 this was transformed into the Central Asian
Cooperation Organization (CACO). 257 As noted above, these states, along
with Belarus and Russia, are members of the EurAsEC. They are also CIS
members. These four Central Asian states, along with Russia, belong also to
the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) initiated by China, which is
engaged in ensuring peace, stability, and security in Central Asia; combating
terrorism, separatism, and the illicit circulation of drugs and arms; regulating
illegal migration; and developing economic, scientific and technical,
educational, and cultural cooperation. 258 Nevertheless, all these international
organizations and agreements are unable to overcome many of the obstacles
hindering economic integration among the Central Asian countries. This is
primarily due to the fact that the region’s countries have not learned to make
concessions to one another. 259
Caucasus, No. 2 (38) (2006), p. 24). Regardless of this fact, Kazakhstan is objectively
performing the function of regional leader (Richard Weitz, Kazakhstan and the New
International Politics of Eurasia, Silk Road Paper (Washington, D.C.: Central Asia-
Caucasus Institute, July 2008), ).
255
For example, Primbetov, “Integration Prospects in Central Asia.”
256
Ibid.
257
See, for example, Natalia Ushakova, “Central Asian Cooperation: Toward
Transformation,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 3 (21) (2003), pp. 12-128.
258
For example, Pan Guang, “Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Context of
International Antiterrorist Campaign,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 3 (21) (2003),
pp. 48-54; Xing Guangcheng, “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Fight
Against Terrorism, Extremism, and Separatism,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 4
(16) (2002), pp. 12-19; Timur Shaimergenov and Gulnar Tusupbaeva, “The Role of the
SCO in Forming the Central Asian Security Environment: Geopolitical Aspects,”
Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 2 (38) (2006), pp. 7-17; Nabi Ziadullaev, “Central
Asia in a Globalizing World.”
259
Talaybek Koychumanov, “Economic Interests of Central Asian States:
Identification Problems,” Central Asia and the Caucasus, No. 3 (21) (2003), pp. 140-145.