Kyrgyzstan is Adapting in the EAEU
It should be noted that on August 12, 2015, the Kyrgyz Republic became a full member of the Eurasian Economic Union. As a result, the meeting of heads of state essentially discussed issues of economic rapprochement. At the same time, there were quite negative moments that journalists tried not to focus on.
The situation in Kyrgyzstan was also discussed during a round table held at the same time at the press center of the "Arguments and Facts" publishing house, one of the participants of which, the former head of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, chairman of the "Butun Kyrgyzstan" party, Adakhan MADUMAROV, noted that the leadership of Kyrgyzstan does not see Russia as a partner and does not want to make any concessions.
- Despite the fact that the country joined the Eurasian Economic Space in 2015, its residents still do not feel that strategy of reorientation towards neighbors that would improve relations with partner countries, - emphasized the politician. - The government of the republic is pursuing a strange and inconsistent policy. There is degradation of state power institutions in the country. The reason, in my opinion, is the so-called parliamentary form of government. Essentially, this is just collective irresponsibility, - said Adakhan Madumarov. This point of view is also shared by the chairman of the Public Chamber, Ruslan SARYMSAKOV. In his opinion, the country's leadership is currently looking more to the West than to Russia.
Kyrgyzstan for the "Russian World"
Adakhan Madumarov also noted that at one time, 87% of the residents voted against the collapse of the USSR in a referendum in the republic. If they were asked today, more than 60% of Kyrgyzstanis would vote for the preservation of the Union. However, this figure is gradually declining due to the fact that the generation that grew up in the Soviet Union is gradually leaving.
- Unfortunately, recently the Russian Federation has been paying less and less attention to those countries that are nearby and are reaching out to it. Previously, centripetal forces were quite strong, especially in Kyrgyzstan. For our citizens, the "Russian World" is closer and clearer, - said the politician. He clarified that by the "Russian World" he means not only the world of the Russian people but also the world of Russian-speaking people of different nationalities and those close in mentality, values, and culture; it is more than a national concept.
- Those empty cells in the general cultural and informational space, to which Russia has stopped paying due attention, are now being filled by other countries. Against the backdrop of the weakening influence of Russia in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, in particular, the influence of Turkey is increasing: schools and universities are being built, and Turkish business is developing vigorously.
According to Madumarov, an important role in strengthening the Eurasian Union should be played by the establishment of a unified information space.
- Often, information about what is happening in neighboring states is sometimes less than what is happening somewhere in Africa, - he says. - It is now important to highlight what is happening in the territory of the EAEU, how these processes can affect the development of a particular country. In our time, the world is changing rapidly. Undoubtedly, the events occurring in it also affect the internal political situation in Kyrgyzstan and all post-Soviet countries, - added the party leader.
Six months in the EAEU
Undoubtedly, there are more positive aspects to the republic's accession to the EAEU than negative ones, believes Ruslan SARYMSAKOV. However, the results of this step are interpreted differently. He believes that the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic made a big mistake before joining by not conducting a full explanatory campaign.
- It was necessary to speak not in some grandiloquent terms but in words accessible to people. A significant mistake was made by the leadership of both countries, which is why today not everyone has seen and felt the positive aspects that the republic received upon joining the EAEU. No one explained to the people how Kyrgyz producers' goods would compete with products produced in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, - he explained.
After the borders were opened, a large number of quality and more competitive goods began to flow into the republic from Belarus. In Kyrgyzstan itself, for example, there is milk, but there is no processing plant to export finished dairy products to the countries of the union. Now the republic is forced to engage in re-export.
- I would like Russia to invest in those sectors whose goods are in short supply in Russia. In Soviet times, these were silk and cotton. The republic, in turn, can provide a list of those goods that it could receive from Russia. But so far there are no such agreements, and this is a significant shortcoming, - believes Sarymsakov.
The public figure also touched on the topic of the Russian language, whose position is weakening not only in Kyrgyzstan but also in all countries of the former Union.
- I have repeatedly suggested holding a forum of Russian-speaking intelligentsia at Issyk-Kul. After all, the trend towards a reduction in the influence of the Russian language, its study, and functioning as a language of interethnic communication is also observed in Kyrgyzstan. It was 4th in the world, and now it has already dropped to 5th place! Kyrgyz nationalists say: "Why do we need the Russian language?". But it historically united us all; through it, we understood each other. I am not against Central Asian countries developing their national languages, but why put up barriers to communication between people, which ultimately leads to the tragic results we have today. That is why we propose to hold such events and are even willing to partially finance their organization, - concluded Sarymsakov.
Imamidin TASHOV, general director of "KG Group," and a participant in the round table noted that the EAEU opens new "gates" and unlimited opportunities. In particular, if we take the construction sector, after joining the union, construction materials became much cheaper. Now their supplies from Russia are much cheaper than from China. And Kyrgyz migrants in Russia have found it easier to work.
- I lived in Moscow for more than three years and know how difficult it was to arrange permits. Now, after joining, everything has become simpler, - noted the businessman.
- Here, there is not only an economic component but also a common mentality. There is a generation that cares about what is happening in Russia. The choice was made for us and before us - by our ancestors. And it is considered the only correct one - to always stay together with Russia, - added Madumarov.
- The problems existing in the Kyrgyz Republic are characteristic of all post-Soviet countries, including Russia, - expressed her view on the situation another participant in the discussion, Olga CHERNOKOZ, general director of the media holding "Regions of Russia." - All of them are the object of close attention from external forces controlled by the USA. The problem is not in the weakness of the economies of the countries, but in the weakness of intellectual efforts and the absence of a unified strategy in the world space. It is a fact that it is difficult for each country to survive on its own. Rather, it will survive, but will it retain its identity? In my opinion, Russia is also doing little to consolidate the efforts of the former Soviet republics, focusing for some reason on more distant countries when old friends are nearby. A certain common brain center is needed that will allow working ahead of the "enemy's actions" rather than fighting the consequences of their destructive actions, - believes Chernokoz.
How long it will take for Kyrgyzstan to establish itself in the EAEU as a full-fledged part will depend on both Russia and, of course, the political will of the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic.
P.S.
At the end of the round table, Adakhan Madumarov expressed gratitude to the staff of the "Arguments and Facts" publishing house, noting that the publication of the same name is a newspaper for thinking and reasoning people, offering its readers verified and reliable information reflecting various points of view.
Arguments and Facts-Kyrgyzstan, No. 10-11, 2016, Alexander Bannikov
