Russia is interested in maintaining good and constructive relations with all states, but primarily with neighboring countries. This was stated in an article by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, published Thursday in Rossiyskaya Gazeta on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the states of Central Asia.
"Like any responsible member of the international community, Russia is interested in a benevolent external environment, maintaining good neighborliness and constructive interaction with all, but above all neighboring states. In this regard we are happy that we have relations of strategic partnership with all countries of Central Asia, and with most of them we have relations of alliance," said the minister.
Lavrov drew attention to the fact that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations Moscow implements a rich program of events with the countries of Central Asia. "Over the past years we have come a long way. We have always relied on historical ties of friendship and rich traditions of mutual support, trust and respect," he added.
According to the foreign minister, trade and economic relations with Central Asia are developing dynamically irrespective of the "fluctuations of the geopolitical situation". "The trade turnover with practically all states of the region is growing," Lavrov stressed. - "Its structure, in addition to raw materials, is formed by industrial goods, agricultural products, chemical products, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, automotive and machine building".
"In the period 2010-2021 alone, the volume of accumulated Russian investments amounted to about $30.5 billion. More than 10 thousand Russian and joint ventures operate in the Central Asian countries, creating 900,000 jobs," said the head of the foreign ministry.
Benefits within the EEU
Lavrov said the growth of mutual trade, removal of barriers to the good shipments, capital and services movement and other tangible benefits for the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) members make this union attractive for the Central Asian region. The head of the foreign ministry pointed out that the EEU currently includes two Central Asian states - Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. "Since 2020, Uzbekistan participates in the work of the union as an observer. Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are interested in the activities of the association," - said the minister. - "We believe that the Eurasian integration processes that are gaining momentum should also contribute to the expansion of practical cooperation".
Lavrov stressed that the attractiveness of the EEU is due to "tangible benefits for its members". "Including the growth of mutual trade and removal of barriers to the movement of goods, capital, services and labor," he continued. - "The Union provides a coordinated, coherent and unified policy in key sectors of the economy, works on the creation of a common market of electricity, oil and gas".
Arena for geopolitical struggle
Lavrov said that unlike the West, Russia does not regard Central Asia as a region for geopolitical confrontation.
"Unlike some Western countries, Russia does not regard Central Asia as an arena for geopolitical confrontation in the spirit of the colonial "Great Game" concept. In this regard, we only welcome the intra-regional integration gaining momentum and regular consultative meetings of Central Asian heads of state," the minister said.
Lavrov added that Russia's relations with the countries of the region are characterized as harmonious, equal and mutually beneficial, and represent "a bright example of how to build interstate cooperation in the XXI century". According to him, Moscow and its Central Asian partners retain a mutual desire "to expand and deepen mutually enriching" cooperation.
"We see great potential for further development of cooperation in trade and economic, energy, scientific and technical spheres, the implementation of transit opportunities for each other. All necessary prerequisites are in place to take our ties to new heights. The main one is the ties of friendship and trust uniting our nations," the Russian foreign minister concluded.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS