Central Asian leaders meeting in Astana spoke of the need for cohesion. So what factors lead the countries of the region to this? What about obstacles? What does CSTO member Kazakhstan’s call for a common defense policy in the MoD indicate? Political scientists Farhod Tolipov and Oybek Sirojov analyzed such questions in Geopolitics.
To the words of Aibek Sirojov according to The unification of Central Asian countries is also necessary to keep distance from the influence of other countries such as Russia or China.
“If you pay attention, when the issue of security in the region becomes urgent, the issue of integration will move forward: the events of 1992, 1997 or the events in Afghanistan can be examples of this,” he says.
Sirojov recalls that in the 1990s, several platforms for the unity of Central Asia were created, but they were not successful due to internal and external reasons. “This process is slowing down because there is a problem of who will be the leader if the states of the region come together. Other big countries of the outside world also tried to stir up various problems in us. This can be seen in the issues of borders and water. This has happened to other countries as well,” says the analyst.
According to Farhod Tolipov, at that time, the possibilities of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to become the leader of Central Asian integration were compared in the media and scientific circles, and opinions circulated that there was competition in this regard. “But it turned out to be just a myth. Even when a journalist asked Karimov and Nazarbayev such a question at the summit, they gave a very interesting answer. “We understand that competition does not bring any benefit, we also know what situation our people may be in after us, and we act accordingly,” they replied. “If they give priority to the integration of Central Asia without interfering in other geopolitical issues, the heads of state of any region deserve it,” said Farhod Tolipov.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for mutual recognition of national identity cards at another consultation meeting held in Astana this week. According to analysts, the implementation of this initiative would be a huge step towards integration.
“I always insist that European integration should be shown as an example to other countries. Europe also established a common political process through small movements and this also inspired them. And that is the European Union we see. In Central Asia, the fact that border crossings are carried out on an ID card is a sign of the development of integration that is taking place between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The possibility of free movement between neighboring countries will be one of the important foundations of integration,” says Farhod Tolipov.
Oybek Sirojov emphasized that the assembly should strengthen the closeness between nations. “Walking across Central Asia with a single identity document is important not only in the field of tourism, but in all aspects. We can see the development of this, for example, in the field of education. Integration here is not the bringing together of political elites or leaders, but the equal bringing together of the entire society. One of the important factors in the formation of a unified Central Asian society is the provision of free movement, and the legal basis for the provision of free movement is the mutual recognition of identity cards. But in times of crumbling security architecture and unrest, the process can be a little slower. But now is a unique time for the entire Mediterranean region, we must make the most of it,” he said.
Kasim-Jo’mart Tokayev, in his article published before the consultation meeting, emphasized that the countries of the region should unite within the defense and security policy. Speaking about this, Farhod Tolipov recalled that the Central Asian battalion had once been created.
“There is already experience here with the development of the central battalion. All Central Asian countries participated equally in the NATO peace cooperation project. We gained experience in adapting to modern standards, studying weapons, communication, command and their implementation. In recent years, the military forces of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have conducted joint military exercises. Self-adaptation, recognition, social defense are gradually formed,” says the analyst.
According to Oybek Sirojov, it is expedient for the countries of the region to focus primarily on economic integration, and military integration should be within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States. “The path of Azerbaijan and Turkey can serve us as an example. Currently, both countries are pushing the issue of a unified army. “The unification of Azerbaijan and Turkey played an important role in the subsequent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” he says.
You can familiarize yourself with the interview in its full form via video.
Normuhammad Ali Abdurahmanov spoke.
