Kyrgyzstan’s benefits from joining to Eurasian Union questionable
Kyrgyzstan’s benefits from joining to the Eurasian Economic
Union of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia are questionable,
researcher at CIDOB Barcelona Centre for International Affairs
Nicolas de Pedro believes.
“The worsening prospects of the Russian economy and the Western
sanctions make short-to-mid-term benefits for Kyrgyz economy more
dubious,” de Pedro told Trend.
The expert noted that Kyrgyzstan expects to have easy access for
its migrant workers into the Russian market following joining to
the Eurasian Union, however it is far from clear that this is going
to be case.
Moreover, Kyrgyzstan might have an easier access for its
agricultural production in Kazakhstan and Russia within the
Eurasian Union, but remains to be seen what happens with
non-tariffs barriers, according to de Pedro.
“Aside from that, it is bit unclear what might Kyrgyzstan expect
from its membership,” the expert said.
Meanwhile tariffs to Chinese and EU products will be increased in
Kyrgyzstan following its joining to the Eurasian Union, de Pedro
said and noted that when the same happened with the tariffs in
Kazakhstan it meant a general increase in the prices of consumer
products.
Besides, Kyrgyzstan will have to accept that its membership in the
Eurasian Union reduces its room for maneuvering in foreign policy
terms, the expert said.
Regarding Kyrgyzstan’s influence on the Eurasian Union, the expert
believes that its accession does not change the Union.
“It rather confirms the growing (geo) political nature of the
project instead of economic one,” de Pedro said.
Other European expert - Director of the International Crisis
Group’s Central Asia Project Deirdre Tynan noted that different
people explain the reasons of Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the
Eurasian Union in different ways.
“Russian officials will tell you Kyrgyzstan wanted to join the
Union, Kyrgyz officials will tell you they had no other choice,
they will also emphasize the benefits the Union can bring to its
migrant population,” Tynan told Trend.
The expert noted that in the short term, Kyrgyzstan can expect an
intense period of adjustment and the difficulties associated with
joining such as increased prices on food and consumer goods.
Meanwhile the overall benefits of joining the Union will not be
apparent for many months, she said.
Tynan believes that joining to the Eurasian Union now, before
Tajikistan is a question of prestige for Kyrgyzstan, she said.
Kyrgyzstan officially joined the Eurasian Economic Union last week.
The protocol on Kyrgyzstan’s accession was signed at the meeting of
the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council at the highest level on May 8
in Moscow. The protocol should be ratified by the parliaments of
the member countries of the Eurasian Union.
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