The report contains main conclusions and recommendations made upon the outcomes of the First Asia-Pacific Forum held on November 28-29, 2011 by Russian International Affairs Council jointly with Russian APEC Studies Center.
This report presents the results of analytical monitoring performed by leading Russian and Chinese experts on the key processes in Russian-Chinese relations in 2013–2014. They analyzed the strategic format of interaction between the two countries in the international arena and their relations in the fields of trade, investment (interbank), energy (hydrocarbons), transport, educational, scientific, and cultural areas. They considered the available resources and possibilities of enhancing the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership, as well as the difficulties and challenges they face in the modern day. The experts elaborate their conclusions, recommendations, and development scenarios for bilateral relations in future.
Internationalization of Russian Universities: The Chinese VectorRussian Council
This Report was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as a part of the project “The Development of Russian—Chinese Relations”, based on research of the practical experience accumulated by several leading Russian universities. The Report contains a number of particular recommendations aimed at reinforcing Russia’s positions in the education market of China and the Asia-Pacific region in general, as well as developing Russia’s innovation potential through the expansion of mutually beneficial scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries.
Strategic Planning of Russia–China Relations in Cross-Border and Inter-Region...Russian Council
In order to increase the predictability of Russia–China relations and ensure their progressive and consistent development, it is necessary to convert the high level of mutual political trust into steady and stable work of institutions responsible for international cooperation. For this purpose, it would be advisable to focus on determining the algorithms and mechanisms of strategic planning of Russia–China relations, which could help the parties identify mutually acceptable frameworks and boundaries of strategic partnership not transforming into a military and political alliance.
Development of Russian–Chinese Trade, Economic, Financial and Cross-Border Re...Russian Council
This Working Paper was prepared as part of a research project concerning the development of strategic partnership and constructive cooperation between Russia and China carried out by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
The authors present the results of a comprehensive review of Russian–Chinese trade, economic, financial and cross-border relations, analyse the impact of strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the prospects of a “partnership for modernization”, and offer some recommendations in the area of bilateral relations and the development of Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East.
Russian–Chinese Dialogue: The 2016 Model: Report No. 25/2016Russian Council
This report presents the results of analysis of the state of Russia–China relations in 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
Leading experts from Russia and China study key foreign policy interests of the two countries, their trade and economic bilateral relations, including investment, transport and energy projects. Special attention is given to security in Eurasia and the role of multilateral institutions in guaranteeing security, the alignment of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Silk Road Economic Belt projects, as well as Russia–China scientific, educational and cultural cooperation.
The content of the annual joint report is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the main areas of bilateral cooperation between Russia and China and bringing the opinions of the expert and academic community to the political leadership of the two countries.
Prospects for Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Central Asia. RIAC ReportRussian Council
The Working Paper is prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as part of the “Russia’s Interests in Central Asia” project. The goal of the publication is to outline the possibilities of cooperation between Russia and China in Central Asia by analyzing the interests of the two countries in relation to the interests of the Central Asian states themselves. The Paper also discusses risks and security challenges which are on the rise in the region and may impede the implementation of economic development projects such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Chinese Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) initiative.
The Working Paper covers the economic interests and presence of Russia and China in the region, and compares their resources for ensuring security. Special attention is paid to the possible cooperation between the two powers in tying together the EEU and the SREB. The authors suggest several promising formats and areas which are in the best interests of both Russia and China, and, first and foremost, in the best interests of the Central Asian states themselves.
Russia—Republic of Korea Relations: Revising the Bilateral AgendaRussian Council
This Working Paper was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as a part of the project “Russia and the Asia-Pacific Region: Conceptual Basis for Security and Development Policy”. The team of authors has conducted comprehensive analysis of Russia—Republic of Korea relations, as well as individual
aspects thereof in a regional context, including economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The research proceeded with practical recommendations aimed at fulfilling Russia’s interests in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening efficient bilateral interaction with ROK.
Possibilities of a Strategic Relationship Between Russia and Saudi ArabiaRussian Council
Russia’s foreign policy in the Middle East is a multidimensional endeavour, which calls for something akin to strategic relations to be built with inf uential regional actors. Pursuing a partnership with Saudi Arabia
is a comprehensive task for the Russian Federation.
Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and, like Russia, it is a serious player on the global oil market. Changes in the region and around the world, as well as the declaration by Saudi Arabia in April 2016 of its socioeconomic transformation in the “Vision for Saudi Arabia until the year 2030” open up new opportunities for the two countries.
This report presents the results of analytical monitoring performed by leading Russian and Chinese experts on the key processes in Russian-Chinese relations in 2013–2014. They analyzed the strategic format of interaction between the two countries in the international arena and their relations in the fields of trade, investment (interbank), energy (hydrocarbons), transport, educational, scientific, and cultural areas. They considered the available resources and possibilities of enhancing the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership, as well as the difficulties and challenges they face in the modern day. The experts elaborate their conclusions, recommendations, and development scenarios for bilateral relations in future.
Internationalization of Russian Universities: The Chinese VectorRussian Council
This Report was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as a part of the project “The Development of Russian—Chinese Relations”, based on research of the practical experience accumulated by several leading Russian universities. The Report contains a number of particular recommendations aimed at reinforcing Russia’s positions in the education market of China and the Asia-Pacific region in general, as well as developing Russia’s innovation potential through the expansion of mutually beneficial scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries.
Strategic Planning of Russia–China Relations in Cross-Border and Inter-Region...Russian Council
In order to increase the predictability of Russia–China relations and ensure their progressive and consistent development, it is necessary to convert the high level of mutual political trust into steady and stable work of institutions responsible for international cooperation. For this purpose, it would be advisable to focus on determining the algorithms and mechanisms of strategic planning of Russia–China relations, which could help the parties identify mutually acceptable frameworks and boundaries of strategic partnership not transforming into a military and political alliance.
Development of Russian–Chinese Trade, Economic, Financial and Cross-Border Re...Russian Council
This Working Paper was prepared as part of a research project concerning the development of strategic partnership and constructive cooperation between Russia and China carried out by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
The authors present the results of a comprehensive review of Russian–Chinese trade, economic, financial and cross-border relations, analyse the impact of strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the prospects of a “partnership for modernization”, and offer some recommendations in the area of bilateral relations and the development of Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East.
Russian–Chinese Dialogue: The 2016 Model: Report No. 25/2016Russian Council
This report presents the results of analysis of the state of Russia–China relations in 2015 and the first quarter of 2016.
Leading experts from Russia and China study key foreign policy interests of the two countries, their trade and economic bilateral relations, including investment, transport and energy projects. Special attention is given to security in Eurasia and the role of multilateral institutions in guaranteeing security, the alignment of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Silk Road Economic Belt projects, as well as Russia–China scientific, educational and cultural cooperation.
The content of the annual joint report is aimed at improving the effectiveness of the main areas of bilateral cooperation between Russia and China and bringing the opinions of the expert and academic community to the political leadership of the two countries.
Prospects for Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Central Asia. RIAC ReportRussian Council
The Working Paper is prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as part of the “Russia’s Interests in Central Asia” project. The goal of the publication is to outline the possibilities of cooperation between Russia and China in Central Asia by analyzing the interests of the two countries in relation to the interests of the Central Asian states themselves. The Paper also discusses risks and security challenges which are on the rise in the region and may impede the implementation of economic development projects such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Chinese Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) initiative.
The Working Paper covers the economic interests and presence of Russia and China in the region, and compares their resources for ensuring security. Special attention is paid to the possible cooperation between the two powers in tying together the EEU and the SREB. The authors suggest several promising formats and areas which are in the best interests of both Russia and China, and, first and foremost, in the best interests of the Central Asian states themselves.
Russia—Republic of Korea Relations: Revising the Bilateral AgendaRussian Council
This Working Paper was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as a part of the project “Russia and the Asia-Pacific Region: Conceptual Basis for Security and Development Policy”. The team of authors has conducted comprehensive analysis of Russia—Republic of Korea relations, as well as individual
aspects thereof in a regional context, including economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The research proceeded with practical recommendations aimed at fulfilling Russia’s interests in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening efficient bilateral interaction with ROK.
Possibilities of a Strategic Relationship Between Russia and Saudi ArabiaRussian Council
Russia’s foreign policy in the Middle East is a multidimensional endeavour, which calls for something akin to strategic relations to be built with inf uential regional actors. Pursuing a partnership with Saudi Arabia
is a comprehensive task for the Russian Federation.
Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and, like Russia, it is a serious player on the global oil market. Changes in the region and around the world, as well as the declaration by Saudi Arabia in April 2016 of its socioeconomic transformation in the “Vision for Saudi Arabia until the year 2030” open up new opportunities for the two countries.
New Stage of Russia–Turkey Economic RelationsRussian Council
The report outlines the dynamics and structure of ties between Russia and Turkey in trade, economics, construction, energy and non-for-profit sector.
The authors emphasize the overall progressive nature of the bilateral relations. However, the uncertain geopolitical situation largely linked to third countries affects several major joint economic projects, and could bring about negative consequences in the future.
The political forces in both countries are also influenced by public demand, which softenes the worsening political differences, despite certain contradictory views and complicated regional problems.
Cooperation in Science and Education to Promote an Innovative Approach to Rus...Russian Council
Possessing knowledge as such, ability to learn and contribute to the process of knowledge development is what diff erentiates developed societies from developing ones. As humanity watches global progress in robotics and artifi cial intelligence, the start of the Fourth Industrial Revolution was announced at Davos 2016.1 Innovation was also the focus of the 2016 Boao Forum for Asia.2 Seeking to keep pace with their peers internationally, Russia and China also prioritize science, education, technology and innovation.
The Strategy for Innovative Development of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020, as well as China’s offi cial document entitled “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” list eff orts to expand international scientifi c cooperation and build up innovation capacity as top-priority objectives.3 Amid the apparent restrictions of extensive development models in both Russia and China, bilateral cooperation in science and education appears to be an increasingly ambitious objective aiming to build up the national innovative capacity of the two countries.
Russia—EU Relations at a Crossroads. Common and Divergent InterestsRussian Council
Russia and the EU proceed on the basis that “business as usual” is no longer possible. However, neither of them has specified what legacy of their relations before the crisis they are willing or ready to sacrifice, except for the strategic partnership rhetoric. Nor have they formulated any particular vision for their future relations that could become a “new business”.
The working paper includes analysis of common and divergent interests, of mechanisms for cooperation, and gives recommendations on the first steps for renewing the cooperation.
The Postulates on Russia’s Foreign Policy developed with the participation of the Russian International Affairs Council’s members and experts discuss Russia’s position in the international arena, the role of global challenges in shaping the foreign policy agenda and outline foreign policy priorities for the period from 2012 to 2018. The main purpose of the Postulates is to encourage a public discourse about new contours and orientation of Russia’s foreign policy and to devise the solutions to be protected against traditional and emerging security challenges.
This report presents the results of analysis of the state of Russia–China relations in 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. Leading Russian and Chinese experts study major Russia’s and China’s interests and prospects for cooperation on the international arena, key areas and ways of expanding trade, economy and investment ties between the two states, assess the dynamics of militarytechnical collaboration and priorities of cooperation in culture, science, education and mass media between the two states, and set forth recommendations for promoting Russia – China interaction.
Particular attention is given to multilateral collaboration in Eurasia.
Theses on Russia’s Foreign Policy and Global Positioning (2017–2024)Russian Council
5 years ago, in 2012, Postulates on Russia's Foreign Policy (2012-2018) marked the beginning of RIAC’s project work. This report has become RIAC’s trademark for several years, its amendments being used in the updated Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation.
The world is now standing at a road fork, and Russia’s key task is to ensure no era of extremes, to promote comfortable and manageable international environment without limitations, conflicts, and splits.
Addressing the changed international situation, quantitative and qualitative growth of challenges for Russia’s foreign policy RIAC and Center for Strategic Research (CSR) presented Theses on Russia’s Foreign Policy and Global Positioning (2017–2024).
As part of the project, 30 interviews were conducted with RIAC members: prominent diplomats, major international relations experts, media executives and entrepreneurs. As a separate part of the project, a series of case studies were conducted with the participation of experts and RIAC members.
.
The theses were based upon the results of a parallel study conducted by a team of researchers at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Text: Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Director of Programs.
Edited by Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General and Sergey Utkin, Head of Foreign and Security Policy Department of the Centre for Strategic Research.
Security and Cooperation in Northeast Asia: the Russian-South Korean Experts ...Russian Council
In 2015 Russia and South Korea celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. Much has been accomplished, but significant potential for collaboration in Northeast Asia to address new and traditional threats remains untapped. In this analytical paper experts of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and Institute for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (IREEES), Seoul National University (SNU) offer their vision of a comprehensive regional security architecture that meets Russian and South Korean national interests. Working on building a new security system in Northeast Asia should begin with the formation of multilateral partnerships on specific security issues, i.e. energy security, nuclear safety, transport security, food security and international information security.
Proposals on Building a Regional Security System in West Asia and North AfricaRussian Council
This paper presents proposals on building a regional security system in West Asia and North Africa. The authors propose to use the term “West Asia” to facilitate new views and approaches on the existing problems and bring economic and geographical interaction to the forefront of the relations between the external and regional actors and within regional actors themselves. The authors emphasize the need to reorganize the economies of the states of the region, including, in particular, the Arab Mashreq subregion. It would help to restore the previously disrupted balance of power. The multiplicity of crises in West Asia and North Africa impairs the effectiveness of the region’s international institutions and is not conducive to advancing regional integration projects. Setting up provisional working groups comprised of regional leaders (or using similar formats) appears to be the most adequate solution; strategically, the most adequate way would be to create a comprehensive security system.
Russia and Europe: Somewhat Different, Somewhat the Same?Russian Council
There are more issues that divide Russia and the EU than that unite them. Although both sides support the fundamentals of the current world-order (especially when confronted with a challenge like IS), Russia believes that the current arrangement does not grant equality and is asymmetrically patterned after the West. While civil societies on both sides believe that sanctions should be ended and relations strengthened, and while both have incurred losses as a result of restrictive measures, they diverge on the conditions of relaunching economic relations, on the feasibility of technical cooperation in the absence of political convergence, and on what EU – Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) cooperation could look like. While the EU and Russia feel the need to cooperate on a settlement in Ukraine, on stabilisation in the Middle East, on the fi ght against terrorism, they diverge over what should be done, over whether human rights / democracy or security / stability should prevail, and over how international organisations should be used.
In this context two parallel tracks should be promoted. The fi rst one is ad hoc cooperation on burning common threats (the settlement in Ukraine and the fi ght against IS and terrorism), or economic issues of immediate mutual benefi t (aviation, the space, medicine, and gas). Various international fora as well as bilateral EU-Russia arrangements should be open for this cooperation. At the same time, sustainable long-term cooperation depends on conceptual discussions over the future set-up, which would guarantee that the preferences of both sides are taken into consideration and neither feels discriminated or betrayed. Mutual understanding is essential for these discussions, it can be cultivated through wider civil society dialogue, more balanced media coverage, the preservation of existing economic links and expert discussions. Only this conceptual settlement will reverse the current ‘divide-unite’ split in favour of more unity.
Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Arab Republic of Egypt: Op...Russian Council
Working paper prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) within the project «Middle East: Political Dynamics and Russia’s Interests». The authors examine the main trends in the development of the political and economic situation in Egypt, analyze the state of Russian-Egyptian relations, lead recommendations for their further development, examine the role of Egypt through the prism of the exacerbation of regional conflicts and threats in the Middle East, analyze the prospects for Russian-Egyptian cooperation in addressing regional problems.
Russia’s Interests in Central Asia: Contents, Perspectives, LimitationsRussian Council
The purpose of this analytical report prepared in the framework of the project “Central
Asia after a Possible Withdrawal of Coalition Forces from Afghanistan” undertaken by
the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) is to make an attempt to identify the
actual position of Central Asia on the scale of Russian foreign policy priorities, to evaluate
opportunities and limitations available to Russia, to blueprint measures in consolidating
Russian positions in the region for the long-term perspective.
RIAC and the authors of the report hope that the presented material would be able to
give a new impetus to the topical discussion at the level of expert community, authorities
and businessmen, and to become a foundation for the development of the Foreign
Policy Concept of the Russian Federation in Central Asia.
Assisting Development in Central Asia: Strategic Horizons of Russian Engagem...Russian Council
Authors:
V.M. Sergeev, Dr. of History (Chairman); A.A. Kazantsev, Dr. of Political Science; V.I. Bartenev, Ph.D. in History
This working paper was prepared as part of the Russian International Affairs Council’s project The Situation in Central Asia after the Possible Withdrawal of the Coalition Forces from Afghanistan. It examines aspects of Russia’s participation in rendering assistance to the countries in the region. The authors identify drivers of instability in Central Asia, review the involvement of the main players and donors in assisting development in the region, and evaluate Russia’s role and capacity in this field with due account of its national interests. The authors offer a number of recommendations on increasing the efficiency of Russian aid to Central Asian countries.
The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of RIAC.
Russia-Iran Partnership: an Overview and Prospects for the Future. RIAC and I...Russian Council
The Report is prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) in partnership with the Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies (IRAS) as part of the project “Russia-Iran Relations on the Modern Stage”.
The goal of the publication is to present the views of Russian and Iranian experts on the main areas of RussiaIran cooperation, to reveal the commonality and differences in their approaches to common threats and challenges. The Report discusses Russian and Iranian vision of global governance and role of great powers, cooperation in the Middle East region, Central Asia and Afghanistan, trade and economic relations, common
transport projects and interaction in international organizations such as SCO, EAEU, SREB initiative etc.
Russia and the European Union are neighbours. Located on the same continent side by side, we share a common history and culture, and the same religious, philosophical and civilizational roots. We are building predominantly the same type of secular society based on a socially oriented economy and public representation.
Russians have decisively broken with the past division of the world into two opposing camps. We are no longer separated by the deepest insurmountable gap of antagonistically incompatible ideologies. The threat of nuclear war, on the brink of which we were balancing for some time, has been eliminated.
Russia and the EU follow similar strategic goals. Both sides strive for peace, stability, security, prosperity, sustainable development, high standards of living and happiness for their citizens.
Defining Dialogue: How to Manage Russia-UK Security RelationsRussian Council
At present, Russian-British relations are in deep crisis.
Will countries be able to restore a regular and systematic dialogue at the highest level?
What are the prospects for cooperation between Russia and Britain in the sphere of security, combating international terrorism and countering extremism, including in the Greater Middle East?
What mechanisms need to be worked out to strengthen confidence-building measures, prevent radicalization and develop cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
These and other issues related to the past, present and future of Russian-British security relations are discussed in the joint report of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies (RUSI).
Web Internationalization: Russian Universities. Report No. 24/2016Russian Council
This Report was prepared as part of the study carried out by the Russian International Affairs Council on the role of the Internet in internationalizing Russian universities. The authors developed a methodology for assessing the English-language sites of Russian universities, carrying out an analysis of 45 resources and
comparing them with the websites of 11 leading foreign universities that appear in the QS World University Rankings. The results of the study are presented in the form of a ranking of the English-language sites of Russian universities. An analysis of common problems and a list of recommendations have also been provided.
The Working Paper was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as part of the “Russia–India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” project. The purpose of the Paper is to identify the prospects and offer recommendations for developing Russia–India relations. The publication takes the form of postulates that deal with the full spectrum of relations between the two countries and their overlapping interests in regional and global politics.
Damage Assessment: EU-Russia relations in crisisRussian Council
A new Special Report edited by Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and European Leadership Network (ELN) assesses the damage to EU-Russia relations after three years of crisis.
Featuring Russian and European experts, the report presents their analysis on fundamental aspects of deteriorating EU-Russia relations, including economic impact, political relations and people-to-people contact. For each of these areas the Russian experts present and assess developments inside their own country, while Western authors describe the situation at the EU level and in selected European Union countries.
A Report of the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program and the Russian International Affairs Council
At a time when tension between the US and Russia is higher than it has been in decades, we cannot forget that the relationship between these two countries is among the most important for global security. On any number of issues, from arms control to the Middle East, failure of the U.S. and Russia to communicate will make things much, much worse, with repercussions that will last for generations and affect the entire world. For this reason, CSIS and RIAC convened some of Russia’s and America’s top experts to think through the future of the bilateral relationship. The result is a series of papers that identify both the spheres where coordination is crucial and those where it may be possible, responding to mutual interests and potentially helping to stabilize the relationship and buffer against conflict in the future. For both, they offer concrete recommendations and a clear-eyed take on what can, and what cannot be done.
The analyses that follow examine prospects for Russia-U.S. cooperation in several crucial regions and fields: economics, energy, the Arctic, Euro-Atlantic security, the Middle East, strategic stability, cybersecurity, and countering terrorism and extremism. They offer actionable recommendations in each area, some of which can, and should be undertaken today, and some of which should be considered by policymakers in Moscow and Washington as they chart a course through dangerous and uncertain times.
Second International Conference “Russia and China: Taking on a New Quality of...Russian Council
On May 30-31, 2016 Russian International Affairs Council held the Second International Conference titled “Russia and China: Taking on a New Quality of Bilateral Relations”. Senior officials, academics, experts on various aspects of bilateral relations, as well as representatives of businesses and media from both Russia and China took part in the Conference. The plenary and expert sessions of the Conference discussed priority areas of Russia–China bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Particular attention was given to coordinating Russia and China’s efforts channeled into developing global governance institutions and ensuring security in Northeast Asia, to the prospects for interaction within the Russia – India – China triangle, to the issues of infrastructure and economic cooperation in Eurasia, to the impact both internal and external factors have on the quality and volume of the Russia-China trade, to the prospects for implementing bilateral projects in education and culture, in the media sphere, and to the joint search for solutions to the current environmental problems.
Современные российско-иранские отношения: вызовы и возможностиRussian Council
Рабочая тетрадь подготовлена в рамках проекта Российского совета по международным делам «Современные российско-иранские отношения». Два государства обладают большим потенциалом двустороннего сотрудничества, который на сегодняшний день реализован далеко не в полной мере.
Наметившийся прогресс на переговорах по иранской ядерной программе и перспектива ослабления санкций в отношении Ирана открывают новые возможности для развития и укрепления двусторонних отношений России и Ирана. Материалы рабочей тетради анализируют современное состояние торгово-экономических отношений двух государств, возможные направления сотрудничества в Каспийском регионе, в Центральной Азии и на Ближнем Востоке, потенциал дальнейшего взаимодействия и участия России в разрешении ситуации с ядерной программой Ирана. Авторы обозначают ряд конкретных направлений и рекомендаций для развития двустороннего диалога и мер, способных вывести двустороннее сотрудничество на новый, более высокий уровень.
Российско-британский диалог по проблемам безопасности: перспективы двусторонн...Russian Council
В настоящее время российско-британские отношения находятся в глубоком кризисе. Удастся ли странам восстановить регулярный и системный диалог на высшем уровне? Каковы перспективы сотрудничества России и Великобритании в сфере безопасности, борьбы с международным терроризмом и противодействия насильственному экстремизму, в том числе на Большом Ближнем Востоке? Какие механизмы необходимо выработать для укрепления мер доверия, предотвращения радикализации и развития сотрудничества в борьбе с киберпреступностью. Эти и другие вопросы, связанные с прошлым, настоящим и будущим российско-британских отношений в области безопасности рассматриваются в совместном докладе Российского совета по международным делам (РСМД) и Королевского объединенного института оборонных исследований (RUSI).
New Stage of Russia–Turkey Economic RelationsRussian Council
The report outlines the dynamics and structure of ties between Russia and Turkey in trade, economics, construction, energy and non-for-profit sector.
The authors emphasize the overall progressive nature of the bilateral relations. However, the uncertain geopolitical situation largely linked to third countries affects several major joint economic projects, and could bring about negative consequences in the future.
The political forces in both countries are also influenced by public demand, which softenes the worsening political differences, despite certain contradictory views and complicated regional problems.
Cooperation in Science and Education to Promote an Innovative Approach to Rus...Russian Council
Possessing knowledge as such, ability to learn and contribute to the process of knowledge development is what diff erentiates developed societies from developing ones. As humanity watches global progress in robotics and artifi cial intelligence, the start of the Fourth Industrial Revolution was announced at Davos 2016.1 Innovation was also the focus of the 2016 Boao Forum for Asia.2 Seeking to keep pace with their peers internationally, Russia and China also prioritize science, education, technology and innovation.
The Strategy for Innovative Development of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020, as well as China’s offi cial document entitled “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” list eff orts to expand international scientifi c cooperation and build up innovation capacity as top-priority objectives.3 Amid the apparent restrictions of extensive development models in both Russia and China, bilateral cooperation in science and education appears to be an increasingly ambitious objective aiming to build up the national innovative capacity of the two countries.
Russia—EU Relations at a Crossroads. Common and Divergent InterestsRussian Council
Russia and the EU proceed on the basis that “business as usual” is no longer possible. However, neither of them has specified what legacy of their relations before the crisis they are willing or ready to sacrifice, except for the strategic partnership rhetoric. Nor have they formulated any particular vision for their future relations that could become a “new business”.
The working paper includes analysis of common and divergent interests, of mechanisms for cooperation, and gives recommendations on the first steps for renewing the cooperation.
The Postulates on Russia’s Foreign Policy developed with the participation of the Russian International Affairs Council’s members and experts discuss Russia’s position in the international arena, the role of global challenges in shaping the foreign policy agenda and outline foreign policy priorities for the period from 2012 to 2018. The main purpose of the Postulates is to encourage a public discourse about new contours and orientation of Russia’s foreign policy and to devise the solutions to be protected against traditional and emerging security challenges.
This report presents the results of analysis of the state of Russia–China relations in 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. Leading Russian and Chinese experts study major Russia’s and China’s interests and prospects for cooperation on the international arena, key areas and ways of expanding trade, economy and investment ties between the two states, assess the dynamics of militarytechnical collaboration and priorities of cooperation in culture, science, education and mass media between the two states, and set forth recommendations for promoting Russia – China interaction.
Particular attention is given to multilateral collaboration in Eurasia.
Theses on Russia’s Foreign Policy and Global Positioning (2017–2024)Russian Council
5 years ago, in 2012, Postulates on Russia's Foreign Policy (2012-2018) marked the beginning of RIAC’s project work. This report has become RIAC’s trademark for several years, its amendments being used in the updated Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation.
The world is now standing at a road fork, and Russia’s key task is to ensure no era of extremes, to promote comfortable and manageable international environment without limitations, conflicts, and splits.
Addressing the changed international situation, quantitative and qualitative growth of challenges for Russia’s foreign policy RIAC and Center for Strategic Research (CSR) presented Theses on Russia’s Foreign Policy and Global Positioning (2017–2024).
As part of the project, 30 interviews were conducted with RIAC members: prominent diplomats, major international relations experts, media executives and entrepreneurs. As a separate part of the project, a series of case studies were conducted with the participation of experts and RIAC members.
.
The theses were based upon the results of a parallel study conducted by a team of researchers at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Text: Ivan Timofeev, RIAC Director of Programs.
Edited by Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General and Sergey Utkin, Head of Foreign and Security Policy Department of the Centre for Strategic Research.
Security and Cooperation in Northeast Asia: the Russian-South Korean Experts ...Russian Council
In 2015 Russia and South Korea celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. Much has been accomplished, but significant potential for collaboration in Northeast Asia to address new and traditional threats remains untapped. In this analytical paper experts of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and Institute for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (IREEES), Seoul National University (SNU) offer their vision of a comprehensive regional security architecture that meets Russian and South Korean national interests. Working on building a new security system in Northeast Asia should begin with the formation of multilateral partnerships on specific security issues, i.e. energy security, nuclear safety, transport security, food security and international information security.
Proposals on Building a Regional Security System in West Asia and North AfricaRussian Council
This paper presents proposals on building a regional security system in West Asia and North Africa. The authors propose to use the term “West Asia” to facilitate new views and approaches on the existing problems and bring economic and geographical interaction to the forefront of the relations between the external and regional actors and within regional actors themselves. The authors emphasize the need to reorganize the economies of the states of the region, including, in particular, the Arab Mashreq subregion. It would help to restore the previously disrupted balance of power. The multiplicity of crises in West Asia and North Africa impairs the effectiveness of the region’s international institutions and is not conducive to advancing regional integration projects. Setting up provisional working groups comprised of regional leaders (or using similar formats) appears to be the most adequate solution; strategically, the most adequate way would be to create a comprehensive security system.
Russia and Europe: Somewhat Different, Somewhat the Same?Russian Council
There are more issues that divide Russia and the EU than that unite them. Although both sides support the fundamentals of the current world-order (especially when confronted with a challenge like IS), Russia believes that the current arrangement does not grant equality and is asymmetrically patterned after the West. While civil societies on both sides believe that sanctions should be ended and relations strengthened, and while both have incurred losses as a result of restrictive measures, they diverge on the conditions of relaunching economic relations, on the feasibility of technical cooperation in the absence of political convergence, and on what EU – Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) cooperation could look like. While the EU and Russia feel the need to cooperate on a settlement in Ukraine, on stabilisation in the Middle East, on the fi ght against terrorism, they diverge over what should be done, over whether human rights / democracy or security / stability should prevail, and over how international organisations should be used.
In this context two parallel tracks should be promoted. The fi rst one is ad hoc cooperation on burning common threats (the settlement in Ukraine and the fi ght against IS and terrorism), or economic issues of immediate mutual benefi t (aviation, the space, medicine, and gas). Various international fora as well as bilateral EU-Russia arrangements should be open for this cooperation. At the same time, sustainable long-term cooperation depends on conceptual discussions over the future set-up, which would guarantee that the preferences of both sides are taken into consideration and neither feels discriminated or betrayed. Mutual understanding is essential for these discussions, it can be cultivated through wider civil society dialogue, more balanced media coverage, the preservation of existing economic links and expert discussions. Only this conceptual settlement will reverse the current ‘divide-unite’ split in favour of more unity.
Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Arab Republic of Egypt: Op...Russian Council
Working paper prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) within the project «Middle East: Political Dynamics and Russia’s Interests». The authors examine the main trends in the development of the political and economic situation in Egypt, analyze the state of Russian-Egyptian relations, lead recommendations for their further development, examine the role of Egypt through the prism of the exacerbation of regional conflicts and threats in the Middle East, analyze the prospects for Russian-Egyptian cooperation in addressing regional problems.
Russia’s Interests in Central Asia: Contents, Perspectives, LimitationsRussian Council
The purpose of this analytical report prepared in the framework of the project “Central
Asia after a Possible Withdrawal of Coalition Forces from Afghanistan” undertaken by
the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) is to make an attempt to identify the
actual position of Central Asia on the scale of Russian foreign policy priorities, to evaluate
opportunities and limitations available to Russia, to blueprint measures in consolidating
Russian positions in the region for the long-term perspective.
RIAC and the authors of the report hope that the presented material would be able to
give a new impetus to the topical discussion at the level of expert community, authorities
and businessmen, and to become a foundation for the development of the Foreign
Policy Concept of the Russian Federation in Central Asia.
Assisting Development in Central Asia: Strategic Horizons of Russian Engagem...Russian Council
Authors:
V.M. Sergeev, Dr. of History (Chairman); A.A. Kazantsev, Dr. of Political Science; V.I. Bartenev, Ph.D. in History
This working paper was prepared as part of the Russian International Affairs Council’s project The Situation in Central Asia after the Possible Withdrawal of the Coalition Forces from Afghanistan. It examines aspects of Russia’s participation in rendering assistance to the countries in the region. The authors identify drivers of instability in Central Asia, review the involvement of the main players and donors in assisting development in the region, and evaluate Russia’s role and capacity in this field with due account of its national interests. The authors offer a number of recommendations on increasing the efficiency of Russian aid to Central Asian countries.
The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of RIAC.
Russia-Iran Partnership: an Overview and Prospects for the Future. RIAC and I...Russian Council
The Report is prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) in partnership with the Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies (IRAS) as part of the project “Russia-Iran Relations on the Modern Stage”.
The goal of the publication is to present the views of Russian and Iranian experts on the main areas of RussiaIran cooperation, to reveal the commonality and differences in their approaches to common threats and challenges. The Report discusses Russian and Iranian vision of global governance and role of great powers, cooperation in the Middle East region, Central Asia and Afghanistan, trade and economic relations, common
transport projects and interaction in international organizations such as SCO, EAEU, SREB initiative etc.
Russia and the European Union are neighbours. Located on the same continent side by side, we share a common history and culture, and the same religious, philosophical and civilizational roots. We are building predominantly the same type of secular society based on a socially oriented economy and public representation.
Russians have decisively broken with the past division of the world into two opposing camps. We are no longer separated by the deepest insurmountable gap of antagonistically incompatible ideologies. The threat of nuclear war, on the brink of which we were balancing for some time, has been eliminated.
Russia and the EU follow similar strategic goals. Both sides strive for peace, stability, security, prosperity, sustainable development, high standards of living and happiness for their citizens.
Defining Dialogue: How to Manage Russia-UK Security RelationsRussian Council
At present, Russian-British relations are in deep crisis.
Will countries be able to restore a regular and systematic dialogue at the highest level?
What are the prospects for cooperation between Russia and Britain in the sphere of security, combating international terrorism and countering extremism, including in the Greater Middle East?
What mechanisms need to be worked out to strengthen confidence-building measures, prevent radicalization and develop cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
These and other issues related to the past, present and future of Russian-British security relations are discussed in the joint report of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies (RUSI).
Web Internationalization: Russian Universities. Report No. 24/2016Russian Council
This Report was prepared as part of the study carried out by the Russian International Affairs Council on the role of the Internet in internationalizing Russian universities. The authors developed a methodology for assessing the English-language sites of Russian universities, carrying out an analysis of 45 resources and
comparing them with the websites of 11 leading foreign universities that appear in the QS World University Rankings. The results of the study are presented in the form of a ranking of the English-language sites of Russian universities. An analysis of common problems and a list of recommendations have also been provided.
The Working Paper was prepared by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) as part of the “Russia–India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” project. The purpose of the Paper is to identify the prospects and offer recommendations for developing Russia–India relations. The publication takes the form of postulates that deal with the full spectrum of relations between the two countries and their overlapping interests in regional and global politics.
Damage Assessment: EU-Russia relations in crisisRussian Council
A new Special Report edited by Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and European Leadership Network (ELN) assesses the damage to EU-Russia relations after three years of crisis.
Featuring Russian and European experts, the report presents their analysis on fundamental aspects of deteriorating EU-Russia relations, including economic impact, political relations and people-to-people contact. For each of these areas the Russian experts present and assess developments inside their own country, while Western authors describe the situation at the EU level and in selected European Union countries.
A Report of the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program and the Russian International Affairs Council
At a time when tension between the US and Russia is higher than it has been in decades, we cannot forget that the relationship between these two countries is among the most important for global security. On any number of issues, from arms control to the Middle East, failure of the U.S. and Russia to communicate will make things much, much worse, with repercussions that will last for generations and affect the entire world. For this reason, CSIS and RIAC convened some of Russia’s and America’s top experts to think through the future of the bilateral relationship. The result is a series of papers that identify both the spheres where coordination is crucial and those where it may be possible, responding to mutual interests and potentially helping to stabilize the relationship and buffer against conflict in the future. For both, they offer concrete recommendations and a clear-eyed take on what can, and what cannot be done.
The analyses that follow examine prospects for Russia-U.S. cooperation in several crucial regions and fields: economics, energy, the Arctic, Euro-Atlantic security, the Middle East, strategic stability, cybersecurity, and countering terrorism and extremism. They offer actionable recommendations in each area, some of which can, and should be undertaken today, and some of which should be considered by policymakers in Moscow and Washington as they chart a course through dangerous and uncertain times.
Second International Conference “Russia and China: Taking on a New Quality of...Russian Council
On May 30-31, 2016 Russian International Affairs Council held the Second International Conference titled “Russia and China: Taking on a New Quality of Bilateral Relations”. Senior officials, academics, experts on various aspects of bilateral relations, as well as representatives of businesses and media from both Russia and China took part in the Conference. The plenary and expert sessions of the Conference discussed priority areas of Russia–China bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Particular attention was given to coordinating Russia and China’s efforts channeled into developing global governance institutions and ensuring security in Northeast Asia, to the prospects for interaction within the Russia – India – China triangle, to the issues of infrastructure and economic cooperation in Eurasia, to the impact both internal and external factors have on the quality and volume of the Russia-China trade, to the prospects for implementing bilateral projects in education and culture, in the media sphere, and to the joint search for solutions to the current environmental problems.
Современные российско-иранские отношения: вызовы и возможностиRussian Council
Рабочая тетрадь подготовлена в рамках проекта Российского совета по международным делам «Современные российско-иранские отношения». Два государства обладают большим потенциалом двустороннего сотрудничества, который на сегодняшний день реализован далеко не в полной мере.
Наметившийся прогресс на переговорах по иранской ядерной программе и перспектива ослабления санкций в отношении Ирана открывают новые возможности для развития и укрепления двусторонних отношений России и Ирана. Материалы рабочей тетради анализируют современное состояние торгово-экономических отношений двух государств, возможные направления сотрудничества в Каспийском регионе, в Центральной Азии и на Ближнем Востоке, потенциал дальнейшего взаимодействия и участия России в разрешении ситуации с ядерной программой Ирана. Авторы обозначают ряд конкретных направлений и рекомендаций для развития двустороннего диалога и мер, способных вывести двустороннее сотрудничество на новый, более высокий уровень.
Российско-британский диалог по проблемам безопасности: перспективы двусторонн...Russian Council
В настоящее время российско-британские отношения находятся в глубоком кризисе. Удастся ли странам восстановить регулярный и системный диалог на высшем уровне? Каковы перспективы сотрудничества России и Великобритании в сфере безопасности, борьбы с международным терроризмом и противодействия насильственному экстремизму, в том числе на Большом Ближнем Востоке? Какие механизмы необходимо выработать для укрепления мер доверия, предотвращения радикализации и развития сотрудничества в борьбе с киберпреступностью. Эти и другие вопросы, связанные с прошлым, настоящим и будущим российско-британских отношений в области безопасности рассматриваются в совместном докладе Российского совета по международным делам (РСМД) и Королевского объединенного института оборонных исследований (RUSI).
Asian Players in the Arctic: Interests, Opportunities, ProspectsRussian Council
The Arctic’s growing geopolitical and geoeconomic significance against the background of global climate change determines the interest of non-Arctic players to the region. In 2013 India, China, Republic of Korea, Japan and Singapore became observers to the Arctic Council.
The Report examines non-regional actors’ interests in the Arctic, their policy frameworks in the region and principal areas of Arctic studies. Authors also explore the Asian states’ positions on the international status of the Arctic. Specific attention is given to the prospects of cooperation between Russia and India, China, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore in developing the region.
Workshop conference materials «Euro-Atlantic Security Community: Myth or Real...Russian Council
The materials in this brochure were prepared based on the results of the research
and practice conference «Euro-Atlantic Security Community: Myth or Reality?»
organized by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) with the support of
the Russian Presidential Administration and the Russian Government, which was
held in Moscow on 23 March 2012. The brochure includes key points presented
by the main speakers at the sessions of the conference’s four topical sections: Humanitarian
and Economic Aspects of Security, Common Values and Overcoming
Mistrust, Russia and EU: Potential for Collaboration, Military and Political Aspects
of Security.
Азиатско-Тихоокеанские ориентиры России после саммита АТЭС во Владивостоке : ...Russian Council
12–13 октября 2012 года в Москве прошел Второй азиатско-тихоокеанский форум, организованный Российским советом по международным делам и Российским центром исследований АТЭС в партнерстве с журналом «Международная жизнь». В мероприятии приняли участие
представители органов государственной власти, экспертных и деловых кругов из России, США, Китая, Японии, Республики Корея, Таиланда, Филиппин. Форум прошел в формате пленарного заседания и серии тематических секций, каждая из которых касалась конкретных
сфер сотрудничества России со странами АТР от атомной энергетики до сотрудничества в сфере информационных технологий. Данный доклад призван вынести на общественное обсуждение основные выводы и предложения, выдвинутые участниками форума.
Вторая международная конференция «Россия и Китай: к новому качеству двусторон...Russian Council
30–31 мая 2016 г. Российский совет по международным делам провел Вторую международную конференцию «Россия и Китай: к новому качеству двусторонних отношений».
В Конференции приняли участие видные государственные и общественные деятели двух стран, ведущие специалисты по различным вопросам двусторонних отношений, представители деловых кругов и средств массовой информации России и Китая. В ходе мероприятия были оценены нынешнее состояние и тенденции развития российско-китайскихотношений, выявлены основные достижения и нерешенные проблемы двустороннего взаимодействия и сформулированы предложения политическому руководству России и Китая по дальнейшему развитию стратегического партнерства.
В последние годы взаимодействие России и Китая достигло беспрецедентно высокого уровня стратегического партнерства и взаимного доверия, открыв новые возможности для откровенного диалога по широкому кругу актуальных проблем. В рамках пленарных и экспертных сессий Конференции состоялось обсуждение приоритетных направлений российско-¬китайского сотрудничества в двустороннем и многостороннем форматах.
Особое внимание было уделено координации усилий России и Китая по развитию институтов глобального управления и обеспечению безопасности в Северо¬-Восточной Азии, потенциалу взаимодействия сторон в треугольнике Россия–Индия–Китай, вопросам инфраструктурного и экономического сотрудничества на евразийском пространстве, влиянию внутренних и внешних факторов на качество и объем российско-китайской торговли, перспективам реализации двусторонних проектов в области образования и культуры, в медиасфере, поиску совместных решений современных проблем экологии.
Вторая международная конференция РСМД «Россия и Китай: к новому качеству двусторонних отношений» продолжила плодотворный диалог, начавшийся в 2015 г., и подтвердила свой статус площадки для регулярного обмена мнениями по актуальным проблемам отношений Москвы и Пекина с возможностью привлечения к дискуссии российских и китайских экспертов. Конференция собрала более 500 представителей официальных и деловых кругов, ведущих экспертов России и Китая, стран ЕАЭС и ЕС, США, Японии, Республики Корея и Индии, а также 70 журналистов из 35 российских и зарубежных СМИ.
Полный список выступающих, видеозапись пленарных сессий, а также материалы выступлений доступны на странице Конференции: russiancouncil.ru/rucn2016.
РСМД выражает признательность всем партнерам и участникам Конференции и высоко ценит высказанные идеи и предложения. Рекомендации участников были максимальным образом учтены при подготовке настоящей публикации.
Арктика. Предложения к дорожной карте международного сотрудничестваRussian Council
Дорожная карта – документ, определяющий последовательные шаги и содержание взаимодействия Российской Федерации с зарубежными партнерами (государствами и международными организациями) по актуальным вопросам международного сотрудничества в Арктике на 2012–2018 годы.
Цель настоящих предложений – содействие реализации интересов России через эффективное международное сотрудничество в регионе. Дорожная карта включает
в себя различные аспекты: правовой, институциональный, экологический, природоресурсный, транспортный, военный, научно-исследовательский.
Россия–Республика Корея: к новой повестке двусторонних отношенийRussian Council
Рабочая тетрадь подготовлена Российским советом по международным делам (РСМД) в рамках проекта «Россия и АТР: концептуальные основы политики в области безопасности и развития». Авторский коллектив провел комплексный анализ отношений России и Республики Корея, а также их отдельных аспектов, включая экономическое и научно-техническое сотрудничество двух стран, в региональном контексте. На основе проведенного исследования был составлен перечень конкретных рекомендаций, призванных способствовать реализации интересов России в Азиатско-Тихоокеанском регионе и выстраиванию эффективного двустороннего взаимодействия с Республикой Корея.
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of current events in the Arab world.
A number of experts believe that the changes we are seeing today are only the first stage in the region’s systemic transformation that will last decades. On the one hand, it predefines important features of the current situation such as the inherent uncertainty, changeability, and volatility. As a result both external and regional players struggle to predict the future course of events. On the other hand, while this instability remains, and for as long the results of this “tectonic shift” remain unknown, external players can to some extent influence
the events, forecast them and sometimes direct them to the right track.
The report was drawn up as part of the “Middle East: Political Dynamics and Russia’s Interests” project organized by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
Migration Crisis: International Cooperation and National StrategiesRussian Council
Migration has moved to the top of the global political agenda in recent times. The unprecedented influx of
refugees to Europe, on the one hand, and the high rate of South–North economic migration on the other,
have led to sharp political and public opinion divisions.
Over the last year-and-a-half, the expressions “migration crisis” and “refugee crisis” have become firmly
lodged in the political and journalist discourse. However, to what extent does the term “crisis” reflect the
real state of affairs? And to what extent does it reflect the way it is perceived? What can be done at the
national and international levels to change the situation? What is the current state of international cooperation on migration regulation? What is the outlook for this cooperation in the foreseeable future? And
what is Russia’s place in this cooperation?
The abovementioned issues were discussed during the II International conference “Migration crisis:
international cooperation and national strategies”, that was held on September 22-23, 2016 in Moscow
and organized by Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and The Russian Presidental Academy of
National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA). The paper presents the key results of the discussion of the following questions: (1) an analysis of the international migration system over the past half a century; (2) an examination of the demographic, economic, political and humanitarian aspects of the
crisis; (3) a look at the phenomenon of migration in reference to security problems; (4) a review of the state
of international cooperation in migration regulation.
Russia and the Visegrad Group: The Ukrainian ChallengeRussian Council
The Eastern Partnership policy that triggered the Ukrainian crisis has provided ample opportunity to reflect on Russia–EU relations, alongside with evaluating cooperation between Russia and the Visegrad Group countries (also called the Visegrad Four or V4). The Visegrad Four have taken on responsibility for the eastward enlargement of the European Union having become its members.
Модернизация механизмов сотрудничества России и ЕС. Доклад № 27/2016Russian Council
В условиях украинского кризиса по инициативе ЕС деятельность многих механизмов диалога с Россией была приостановлена. В то же время обе стороны отдают себе отчет в том, что санкции и приостановка политического диалога – не навсегда. Рано или поздно отношения между Россией и ЕС будут нормализованы. Хотя очевидно также, что эти отношения уже не станут прежними. В данном докладе на основе критического анализа опыта взаимодействия России и ЕС до современного кризиса сформулированы соображения, как могли бы выстраиваться институты диалога и управления их сотрудничеством после того, как отношения России и ЕС вступят в фазу нормализации.
Доклад опубликован в рамках совместного проекта Российского совета по международным делам (РСМД) и Центра им. Роберта Боша Германского совета по международным отношениям (DGAP), направленного на оценку состояния отношений между Россией и ЕС и поиск путей их нормализации.
Сербия — ЕАЭС: перспективы интеграции в рамках зоны свободной торговли. Рабоч...Russian Council
Рабочая тетрадь посвящена изучению перспектив, а также рисков и положительных эффектов от вступления Сербии в зону свободной торговли с ЕАЭС.
Анализ существующих соглашений о зонах свободной торговли показал, что Сербия стремится выдерживать многовекторную внешнеэкономическую политику, балансируя между европейским и евразийским пространствами. При этом в соглашениях с европейскими партнерами отчетливо прослеживается тенденция системного встраивания Сербии в европейский контекст, тогда как соглашения со странами Евразийского пространства пока не объединены общими нормами и правилами.
С нашей точки зрения, создание ЗСТ между Сербией и всеми странами ЕАЭС может дать дополнительные возможности для сербских производителей по расширению своего присутствия в Евразийском регионе, а также может укрепить позиции Сербии в области выстраивания внешнеторговых альянсов в других регионах мировой экономики, в том числе в Азии.
World Order Or World Anarchy? A Look at the Modern System of International Re...Russian Council
This working paper is an examination of the modern world order. Theoretical approaches to the analysis of international relations are revised and its guiding characteristics are determined. The structure of the modern world order and its particular dynamics are revealed with the help of mathematical modeling methods. Possible directions for Russia’s policy in the changing world environment are considered.
Интересы России в Азиатско-Тихоокеанском регионе: безопасность и развитиеRussian Council
В докладе представлены основные выводы и рекомендации по итогам Первого азиатско-тихоокеанского форума, проведенного Российским советом по международным делам и Российским центром исследований АТЭС 28–29 ноября 2011 года.
International Cooperation in Environment Protection, Preservation, and Ratio...Russian Council
Materials of the International scientific symposium held in Moscow on September 4, 2012: Working paper.
Russian International Affairs Council pays special attention to the Arctic.
Council is convinced that there are no problems in the Arctic that cannot be solved on the basis of cooperation, common sense and solid foundation of international law. In order to promote realization of Russian interests in the Arctic by establishing effective international interaction in this region RIAC initiated the project titled “Roadmap for International Cooperation in the Arctic”. The International scientific symposium “International Cooperation in Environment Protection, Preservation, and Rational Management of Biological Resources in the Arctic Ocean” was organized in the framework of this project. This Working Paper includes texts of presentations at the symposium held in Moscow on September 4, 2012.
Russia–European Union: Potential for PartnershipRussian Council
The report analyses the development of Russia–European Union Relations. In the authors’
opinion the high level of economic interdependence between Russia and the European
Union, their geographic proximity and the nature of international relations in a globalized
world make it imperative that the parties continue to build and develop their relations.
The key issue is to give this cooperation a new impetus and increase the level of trust. The
report outlines recommended steps to make relations as good as possible.
Международные отношения: рациональный мировой порядок?Russian Council
От того, как мы понимаем этот мир, как выстраиваем иерархию и причинно-следственные связи происходящих в нем событий, зависит и то, как мы позиционируем в мире Россию, в чем мы видим самые привлекательные возможности или самые опасные угрозы для нашей страны. Данная рабочая тетрадь включает в себя два базовых материала о будущем мирового порядка и месте России в нем, а также комментарии молодых экспертов Российского совета по международным делам.
Perspectives and challenges for building Greater EuropeRussian Council
The Working Paper includes analytical papers on building the concept of Greater Europe. The papers are prepared by RIAC and partner organizations in the framework of a research project “A Cooperative Greater Europe by 2030”. The Working Paper analyzes the concept of Greater Europe, its structural principles, and mechanisms of cooperation among the countries involved.
Современные российско-японские отношения и перспективы их развитияRussian Council
Доклад "Современные российско-японские отношения и перспективы их развития".
Авторский коллектив:
д.полит.н. А.Н. Панов (руководитель коллектива); О.И. Казаков; д.и.н., к.э.н. В.О. Ки-
станов; В.В. Кузьминков; к.и.н. В.Н. Павлятенко; д.и.н. Д.В. Стрельцов; д.соц.н.,
к.и.н. С.В. Чугров
В докладе представлены результаты комплексного анализа современных российско-японских отношений, подготовленные группой российских ученых-японоведов
в рамках исследовательской программы Российского совета по международным делам. В качестве ключевых рассмотрены вопросы политического, торгово-экономического, научно-технологического и культурного взаимодействия двух государств, а также подходы к решению «проблемы северных территорий».
Russia’s Guiding Landmarks in the Asia-Pacific after the APEC Summit in Vladi...Russian Council
On October 12–13, 2012, the Second Asia-Pacific Forum was held in Moscow, organized by the Russian International Affairs Council and Russian APEC Study Center in partnership with the International Affairs magazine. Representatives from government authorities, expert and business communities of Russia, the United States, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines attended the event. The forum was held in the format of plenary sessions and a series of panel discussions dealing with specific areas of Russia’s cooperation with Asia-Pacifi c countries ranging from nuclear power to cooperation in information technologies. This report presents the key conclusions and proposals advanced by forum participants for public debate.
The Russian Federation’s International Science and Technology Cooperation: An...Russian Council
This report has been prepared as part of the Russian International Affairs Council’s project Russia’s International Science and Technology Cooperation. The report looks into the present state of Russian science in comparative perspective, analyses Russia’s key goals and objectives in terms of improving the international competitiveness of domestic science, provides an overview of Russian legislation on international science and technology cooperation, and identifies the key issues that international science and technology cooperation is expected to help resolve. The author identifies a number of priority areas in Russia’s international science and technology cooperation and proposes a number of steps to promote Russia’s interests in international science and technology cooperation.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Model 2014–2015Russian Council
The working paper is devoted to the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), its influence on the Central Asian region, adjacent areas and states. Its relevance derives from the national security interests of Russia and the Central Asian region, connected to the need to develop and adopt a long-term SCO Development Strategy up to 2025. The document provides different scenarios for the Organisation’s development, its likely reaction to crises in the region, including in Afghanistan, the possibility of the key players (Russia and China) strengthening its potential, as well as options for increasing the number of permanent members and collaborating with observer countries (India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia).
The possibilities for and impediments to strengthening the geopolitical role of the SCO are analysed and practical recommendations are given.
Regional Determinants of Central Asian Developmentijtsrd
Contemporary complex international challenges demonstrates inability for many nations to solve a large range of issues of internal development solely or independently. This situation has a many aspects and the search for ways to build socio economic resilience and stability remains actual for most of them. Existing controversies or even negative past experience of the former Soviet administrative management have proven the necessity to preserve and develop intensive efforts to counterbalance the prolonged collapse of the former unitary system. Dr. U. Khasanov "Regional Determinants of Central Asian Development" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-2 , February 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd38501.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/humanities-and-the-arts/political-science/38501/regional-determinants-of-central-asian-development/dr-u-khasanov
The report reviews key issues in energy trade and cooperation between the EU and CIS countries. It describes historical trends of oil and gas demand in the EU, other European and CIS countries and offers demand forecasts until 2030. Recent developments in oil and gas production and exports from Russia and Caspian countries are covered in detail leading to the discussion of the likely export potential of these regions. The key factors determining the production outlook, trade-offs and competition related to energy resources transportation choices are also discussed. The report also covers the interests and role of transit countries in relations between producer and consumer regions. The analytical section leads to policy recommendations that focus mainly on the EU.
Authored by: Sabit Bagirov, Leonid Grigoriev, Wojciech Paczynski, Vladimer Papava, Marcel Salikhov, Michael Tokmazishvili
Published in 2009
Current state of Russia’s relations with Japan and prospects for their develo...Russian Council
The report presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of contemporary Russian-
Japanese relations made by a team of Russian Japanologists within a framework of the
Russian International Affairs Council’s research program. Political, trade and economic,
scientific, technological and cultural cooperation and also the approaches to the resolution
of “the northern territories’ problem” are among the key issues considered by the authors.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the sources, economic and social characteristics, of growth recovery, which followed the first period of output decline in two transition countries – Poland and Russia. They represent two different groups of transition countries (new EU member states vs. CIS) in terms of adopted transition strategy and accomplished results. Generally, fast reformers succeeded and slow reformers experienced a lot of troubles. Although eventually all former communist countries entered the path of economic growth, those which moved slowly lost sometimes the whole decade. Social costs of slow reforms were also dramatic: income degradation and rising inequalities, high level of poverty and corruption, various social and institutional distortions and pathologies, violation of human rights and civil and economic liberties, attempts of authoritarian restoration, etc.
Authored by: Marek Dabrowski, Oleksandr Rohozynsky, Irina Sinitsina
Published in 2004
Bearing in mind the particular importance Russia attaches to its relations with India, the Russian International Affairs Council has arranged a series of expert workshops dedicated to specific areas of bilateral relations. The following postulates represent the preliminary results of this work. The key objective here is to test some hypotheses related to developing cooperation between Russia and India. We address readers anticipating some sort of feedback. Taking into account readers’ comments and proposals a final version of the postulates will be subsequently prepared and published.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is both an opportunity and challenge for Central Asian
countries and the European Union. As an initiative announced in Astana, it may make Europe
closer to Asia through railway connections. Its scope, proposed infrastructural investments and
different connections and routes, additional initiatives and diplomacy suggest OBOR is in line
with the global Chinese strategy.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the economic aspects of EU policy towards its Eastern neighbors in the former Soviet Union. For a long period of time, this region was considered as less important for the EU, as compared to Central and Eastern Europe, which was the subject of a far-reaching economic and political integration offer materialized in two rounds of EU Eastern Enlargements (2004, 2007). However, moving the EU's geographical frontier further to the East and Southeast increased the importance of the CIS region as a potential partner of the enlarged EU. In 2004, East European and Caucasus countries were invited to participate in the European Neighborhood Policy a new EU external policy framework also addressed to the Southern Mediterranean countries. Russia has been attempting to build a strategic political and economic partnership with the EU outside the ENP framework but the content of this relationship is, in fact, very similar to the ENP.
A general weakness of the ENP is that there is a lack of balance between farreaching expectations with respect to neighbors' policies and reforms, and limited and distant rewards that can potentially be offered. Thus, making this cooperation framework more effective requires a serious enhancement of the rewards using, to the extent possible, the positive experience of previous EU enlargements. The nature of contemporary economic relations in the globalized world calls for a more complex package-type approach to economic integration rather than just limiting cooperation to some narrow fields.
Authored by: Marek Dąbrowski
Published in 2007
The Russian Arctic: Potential for International CooperationRussian Council
The report continues work held in line with the “Roadmap for International Cooperation in the Arctic” project organized by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). The report looks into the network of circumpolar territories including new industrial regions on the Arctic continental shelf, analyses key goals of educational cooperation and identifies opportunities for international collaboration among small and medium-sized businesses in the Arctic. Authors present their vision for strategic governance in the Russian Arctic and inter-municipal cooperation in the coastal zone of the Russian Federation.
G20, G8, BRICS development momentum and interests of RussiaRussian Council
The report presents key findings and recommendations of several scientific and expert workshops conducted by Russian International Affairs Council within the project «Increasing the effectiveness of Russia’s Participation in G8, G20, and BRICS in accordance with the Priorities and National Interests of Russia».
Renewing Mechanisms for Russia-EU CooperationRussian Council
In the context of the Ukraine crisis, the EU has completely suspended the functioning of all mechanisms of dialogue with Russia. At the same time, both sides realize that the sanctions and the suspension of political dialogue cannot last forever. Sooner or later, relations between Russia and the EU will have to be normalized.
However, there is little doubt that this relationship is unlikely to return to “business as usual”. Based on the critical assessment of the performance of mechanisms of cooperation between Russia and the EU in the period before the present crisis, this report seeks to explore what could be the appropriate design of such mechanisms after relations between Russia and the EU enter the normalization phase.
The report is published in the frameworks of the joint project of Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Robert Bosch Center at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) that aims to address the question of where we stand and to propose ways of rebuilding Russia-EU relations.
The CIS region is of vital importance for the EU countries considering that both are interconnected through cooperation or membership in supranational political and economic institutions (OSCE, WTO, OECD, NATO, etc.), through transport and energy corridors, through investment, trade and migration trends.
The interests of EU member states in the region are very diverse and are sometimes pursued in contradiction to one another. The overarching interest is of an economic nature, given the large reserves of natural resources (particularly gas and oil) and due to the size of the CIS market of 277 million consumers. Security and immigration issues also rank high on the list, whereas EU countries are less concerned with democratisation trends in the CIS. Russia is the most important CIS partner for a majority of EU countries. Energy plays a disproportionally high role in EU member states (MS) - Russia relations and is also a strong determinant of the overall heterogeneity of EU MS policies towards Russia. The type of bilateral relations which the EU MS maintain with one sub-region of the CIS (particularly the EENP, but increasingly also Central Asia) also affects their relations with Russia. Cultural closeness and a common history still play a large part in the development of bilateral relations. The accession to the EU of Central and Eastern European states has altered the existing relations between them and their eastern CIS neighbours, thereby also modifying their interests in the region. Regrettably, the EU's policies towards Russia and the EENP region have not yet been able to provide a playing field able to compensate for this alteration.
Thus, the present report studies the various interests (political, security, economic, cultural) which underpin relations between the EU member states and the CIS countries and also discusses the latest developments in EU policies towards a specific CIS sub-region (Russia, the Eastern ENP and Central Asia), thereby providing a broad picture of the type of interests, how they are pursued by the EU member states and where these intersect or clash.
Authored by: George Dura
Published in 2008
Предложения по российско-американскому сотрудничеству в сфере кибербезопаснос...Russian Council
Текущее состояние российско-американских отношений отличается высоким уровнем недоверия. Напряженность нарастала в течение трех лет, государства наложили друг на друга санкции, активно распространяют пропаганду и обмениваются взаимными обвинениями. Ситуация в двусторонних отношениях непредсказуема: если эскалация продолжится, вся система международных отношений может быть дестабилизована. Текущее ухудшение отношений между двумя странами затронуло все сферы взаимодействия, включая кибербезопасность.
Взаимодействие в сфере кибербезопасности – достаточно новый аспект, который никогда не входил в число приоритетных направлений наравне с борьбой с терроризмом, украинским и сирийским кризисами, экономическими санкциями и др.
Несмотря на то, что государства по обе стороны Атлантического океана осознают необходимость решения ключевых вопросов кибербезопасности, мнения сторон относительно необходимых мер и применения норм международного права к вопросам киберпространства расходятся.
В этой связи требуется работа по двум направлениям. Первое – сотрудничество в предотвращении киберпреступлений и принятие мер по борьбе с кибертерроризмом. Россия и США не могут найти общий язык при обсуждении предотвращения киберпреступлений. Отчасти это вызвано отсутствием общепринятой терминологии применительно к киберпространству.
Кроме того, анонимность киберпреступлений не только затрудняет процесс атрибуции, но и зачастую подрывает статус-кво в двусторонних отношениях. Второе направление включает в себя разработку норм поведения, а также защиту объектов критической инфраструктуры от кибератак. Хотя группа правительственных экспертов ООН ведет активную работу над разработкой правил игры, государствам необходимо найти способы применения существующих и потенциальных норм на практике. Также необходимо дать четкие определения объектам критической инфраструктуры и киберпреступлений.
На данном этапе критически важно продолжение диалога и налаживание взаимопонимания при помощи экспертных встреч и публикаций, сотрудничества на техническом уровне и сбалансированного участия СМИ.
На протяжении 2016 г. российские и американские эксперты по вопросам кибербезопасности совместно работали над предложениями по решению проблем в двусторонних отношениях, связанных с этой сферой.
В результате двусторонних усилий Российский совет по международным делам (РСМД) и Институт Восток-Запад (ИВЗ) выделили ряд вызовов и проблем в сфере кибербезопасности, а также предложений по их решению для улучшения российско-американского сотрудничества в киберпространстве. Стороны выражают надежду, что изложенные ниже предложения смогут лечь в основу будущего сотрудничества.
Презентация Лоуренса Макдоннелла. Дебаты «Fake News и мировая политика»Russian Council
18 июля 2017 г. в библиотеке им. Ф.М. Достоевского РСМД провел дебаты на тему «Fake News и мировая политика».
Лекторами на мероприятии выступили бывший корреспондент ВВС в Москве Лоуренс Макдоннелл и заместитель редактора международного отдела РБК, бывший главный редактор англоязычного аналитического ресурса Russia Direct Павел Кошкин. В роли модератора дискуссии выступал менеджер по связям со СМИ и правительственными структурами РСМД Николай Маркоткин.
Web Internationalization of Russian Universities (2016–2017). Report No. 31/2017Russian Council
This report is the result of a new stage in the research of the online English-language resources on the websites of Russian universities and is a follow-up to the initial report produced by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) entitled “Web Internationalization: Russian Universities” in 2015.
The authors developed a methodology for assessing the English-language websites of universities. The online resources of 47 universities were analysed and compared with those of 11 QS Top 100 World Universities.
The results of the study are presented in the form of a ranking of the English-language websites of Russian universities. An analysis of common problems and a list of recommendations have also been provided.
Россия и Запад: как управлять «холодным миром»?Russian Council
Пятый позиционный документ Рабочей группы проекта «Строительство Большой Европы: необходимые меры до 2030 г.».
Группа видных членов и сторонников Панъевропейской Рабочей группы по сотрудничеству в Большой Европе, в которую входят бывшие министры иностранных дел и обороны, а также высшие должностные лица России, Великобритании, Турции, Польши, Германии, Италии и Финляндии, призвала руководство стран евроатлантического региона остановить дальнейшее раскручивание нисходящей спирали в отношениях между Россией и Западом и эффективно управлять рисками путем повышения стабильности в сфере безопасности.
Отмечая серьезность ситуации, члены Рабочей группы предупреждают, что она чревата военной конфронтацией между Россией и Западом — как умышленной, так и ненамеренной. Отдавая себе отчет в том, что рассчитывать на скорое улучшение отношений не приходится, они считают, что стабилизация ситуации требует общей приверженности всех стран евроатлантического региона отказу от применения силы, более осторожного и сдержанного подхода к наращиванию военного потенциала и активного использования возможностей контроля над вооружениями и укрепления доверия.
Managing the Cold Peace between Russia and the West. Fifth Task Force Positio...Russian Council
A group of prominent Members and Supporters of the Pan-European Task Force on Cooperation in Greater Europe, including former foreign and defence ministers and senior officials from Russia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Poland, Germany, Italy and Finland has joined forces to appeal to the leadership of the countries in the Euro-Atlantic area to halt the downward spiral in West-Russia relations and manage its risks better through developing a more stable and sustainable security relationship.
Тезисы по внешней политике и позиционированию России в мире (2017–2024 гг.)Russian Council
5 лет назад, в 2012 г. РСМД открыл проектную деятельность изданием Тезисов о внешней политики России (2012–2018). Доклад стал визитной карточкой Совета на несколько лет, а предложения были использованы в новой редакции Концепции внешней политики РФ.
Сейчас мир стоит на развилке, перед Россией стоит задача не допустить новой эпохи крайностей, способствовать созданию комфортной, управляемой международной среды без ограничительных линий, конфликтов и расколов.
Отвечая на изменившуюся международную ситуацию, количественный и качественный рост вызовов для российской внешней политики, РСМД и Центр стратегических разработок (ЦСР) представили «Тезисы по внешней политике и позиционированию России в мире».
В рамках проекта было проведено 30 интервью с членами РСМД — известными дипломатами, крупными учеными-международниками, руководителями СМИ, представителями бизнеса.
Отдельной составляющей проекта стала серия ситуационных анализов с участием экспертов и сотрудников РСМД.
Подготовке тезисов помогли результаты работы группы ученых из Института мировой
экономики и международных отношений имени Е. М. Примакова (ИМЭМО РАН), которая велась параллельно с исследованием РСМД.
Автор текста: Иван Тимофеев, программный директор РСМД.
Под редакцией: Андрея Кортунова, генерального директора РСМД и Сергея Уткина, руководителя направления «Внешняя политика и безопасность» ЦСР.
70th Anniversary of Russia-India Relations: New Horizons of Privileged Partne...Russian Council
In 2017, Russia and India celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the years, the two states have steadily developed mutually beneficial ties. Their cooperation has achieved the level of special and privileged strategic partnership. Regular contacts between the two leaders have become an established practice. On June 1–2, 2017, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is visiting Russia. On May 30, 2017, President of Russia Vladimir Putin’s article “Russia and India: 70 years together” was published in the Times of India. In the article the Russian President stated that the enormous potential of cooperation between the two great powers will be further explored for the benefit of the peoples of India and Russia and the international community in general.
However, in order to make full use of the collaboration potential, ties between Russia and India should be taken to a qualitatively new level. Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) have drafted a joint report in order to open up a new discussion on the prospects of Russia-India relations and the steps required to develop them further. The authors express hope that ideas and recommendations expressed in the paper will provide the necessary expert support for state level contacts and will be helpful in foreign policy decision-making by the two governments.
70-летие дипломатических отношений России и Индии: Новые горизонты привилегир...Russian Council
В 2017 г. Россия и Индия отмечают 70-летие дипломатических отношений. Россия и Индия последовательно формировали взаимовыгодные отношения; их взаимодействие достигло уровня особо привилегированного стратегического партнерства. Регулярные контакты лидеров двух стран вошли в практику российско-индийских отношений. 1–2 июня 2017 г. состоялся официальный визит премьер-министра Н. Моди в Россию. 30 мая 2017 г. в газете The Times of India опубликована статья президента РФ В. Путина «Россия и Индия: 70 лет вместе». В материале президент России выразил уверенность, что «колоссальный потенциал взаимодействия двух великих держав будет и впредь реализовываться на благо народов России и Индии, международного сообщества в целом».
Однако для полноценного использования потенциала сотрудничества необходимо вывести российско-индийские связи на качественно новый уровень. Российский совет по международным делам (РСМД) и Международный фонд им. Вивекананды (VIF) подготовили совместный доклад, призванный открыть широкую экспертную дискуссию о перспективах развития отношений между двумя странами, а также мерах, необходимых для дальнейшего совершенствования и повышения эффективности этих отношений.
Авторы выражают надежду, что идеи и рекомендации, изложенные в данном документе, окажутся востребованными на уровне межгосударственных контактов и будут полезны государственным органам обеих стран при принятии соответствующих внешнеполитических решений.
Дорожная карта российско-американских отношенийRussian Council
Доклад – результат работы ведущих российских и американских экспертов. Основная идея доклада состоит в том, что даже в обстановке геополитической напряженности и взаимного недоверия Россия и США должны сотрудничать. И не только в тех областях, где от их взаимодействия зависит глобальная безопасность, но и в более широком спектре направлений, в которых конкретные совместные действия не менее важны для нормализации отношений между двумя странами и для предотвращения конфликтов в будущем. В докладе анализируются перспективы российско-американского сотрудничества в таких важнейших регионах и сферах как Арктика, Ближний Восток, экономика, энергетика, евроатлантическая безопасность, стратегическая стабильность, кибербезопасность, борьба с терроризмом и экстремизмом. В докладе предлагаются практические рекомендации по налаживанию сотрудничества на каждом из направлений.
Lies, Spies and Big Data: How Fake News Is Rewriting Political LandscapesRussian Council
On November 7, 2016, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States after a bitterly-fought campaign against Hillary Clinton. The election was very closely-run, with Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote, but losing the presidency based on the U.S. electoral college structure. However, months after Donald Trump was declared President of the United States, questions remain about the legitimacy of the U.S. elections. The central issues are the emergence and use of so-called ‘Fake News’ and the accusation that Russia, through espionage and online hacking operations, sought to influence the presidential elections to promote Donald Trump and denigrate the reputation of Hillary Clinton.
The issues thrown up in the wake of the U.S. presidential election have fundamentally undermined trust in the workings of the international media and further damaged U.S.–Russia relations. A report by the U.S. intelligence services accusing Russia of attempting to influence the outcome of the election, prepared for President Obama and published in the election’s immediate aftermath, led to the expulsion1 of 35 Russian diplomats from Washington just days after the results were announced. President Putin, on the other hand, opted not to expel any U.S. diplomats from Russia. The investigation into Russia’s involvement and influence on the U.S. elections continues today.
This policy brief provides an overview of how the gathering and dissemination of news has changed in a globalized digital environment, how consumers digest and share news at an ever-increasing pace, and how the management of big data can influence electorates across borders. It will also define ‘fake news’ and the extent to which it might have influenced the results of the U.S. elections.
Перспективы развития проекта ЕАЭС к 2025 годуRussian Council
Рабочая тетрадь подготовлена Российским советом по международным делам (РСМД) в рамках проекта «Евразийская экономическая интеграция: эффективные модели взаимодействия экспертов».
Цель издания — представить взгляды экспертов на развитие проекта ЕАЭС в перспективе до 2025 г. В издании рассмотрены некоторые перспективные направления интеграции: транспорт и логистика, агропромышленная политика, свобода перемещения товаров, трудовых ресурсов, образование на пространстве ЕАЭС, международные связи ЕАЭС в перспективе до 2025 г. Безусловно, этот перечень не является исчерпывающим с точки зрения перспективных направлений интеграции, однако он представляется реализуемым с учетом национальных приоритетов и ожиданий государств — членов Союза, анализу которых посвящен отдельный раздел тетради, и без понимания которых едва ли возможна проработка общих перспективных направлений интеграции.
Экономическое развитие стран ЕАЭС и перспективы экономической интеграции до 2...Russian Council
Евразийский экономический союз создавался для укрепления национальных экономик и возможностей государств–членов в мировой экономике при условии создания четырех свобод – передвижения товаров, услуг, финансов и рабочей силы. Его создание пришлось как на период мировой экономической нестабильности, так и геополитических изменений в Евразии, что повлияло на ситуацию внутри ЕАЭС. Сегодня актуален вопрос перспективности развития экономик государств–членов в формате их участия в евразийском интеграционном проекте.
В аналитической записке рассматриваются вопросы сочетаемости национальных и интеграционных интересов в программах развития как самих стран, так и в рамках ЕАЭС в перспективе до 2025 г.
ЕМИ был подготовлен Центром изучения перспектив интеграции в партнерстве с Институтом социологии НАНБ. Коллектив авторов исследовал освещение евразийской интеграции в странах-членах ЕАЭС и поделился своими основными выводами в рамках рабочего совещания, в котором приняли участие ведущие эксперты в проблематике евразийской интеграции. ЕМИ доступен на сайте РСМД.
‘वोटर्स विल मस्ट प्रीवेल’ (मतदाताओं को जीतना होगा) अभियान द्वारा जारी हेल्पलाइन नंबर, 4 जून को सुबह 7 बजे से दोपहर 12 बजे तक मतगणना प्रक्रिया में कहीं भी किसी भी तरह के उल्लंघन की रिपोर्ट करने के लिए खुला रहेगा।
हम आग्रह करते हैं कि जो भी सत्ता में आए, वह संविधान का पालन करे, उसकी रक्षा करे और उसे बनाए रखे।" प्रस्ताव में कुल तीन प्रमुख हस्तक्षेप और उनके तंत्र भी प्रस्तुत किए गए। पहला हस्तक्षेप स्वतंत्र मीडिया को प्रोत्साहित करके, वास्तविकता पर आधारित काउंटर नैरेटिव का निर्माण करके और सत्तारूढ़ सरकार द्वारा नियोजित मनोवैज्ञानिक हेरफेर की रणनीति का मुकाबला करके लोगों द्वारा निर्धारित कथा को बनाए रखना और उस पर कार्यकरना था।
ys jagan mohan reddy political career, Biography.pdfVoterMood
Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy, often referred to as Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, is an Indian politician who currently serves as the Chief Minister of the state of Andhra Pradesh. He was born on December 21, 1972, in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh, to Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy (popularly known as YSR), a former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and Y.S. Vijayamma.
31052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
27052024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Future Of Fintech In India | Evolution Of Fintech In IndiaTheUnitedIndian
Navigating the Future of Fintech in India: Insights into how AI, blockchain, and digital payments are driving unprecedented growth in India's fintech industry, redefining financial services and accessibility.
In a May 9, 2024 paper, Juri Opitz from the University of Zurich, along with Shira Wein and Nathan Schneider form Georgetown University, discussed the importance of linguistic expertise in natural language processing (NLP) in an era dominated by large language models (LLMs).
The authors explained that while machine translation (MT) previously relied heavily on linguists, the landscape has shifted. “Linguistics is no longer front and center in the way we build NLP systems,” they said. With the emergence of LLMs, which can generate fluent text without the need for specialized modules to handle grammar or semantic coherence, the need for linguistic expertise in NLP is being questioned.
Welcome to the new Mizzima Weekly !
Mizzima Media Group is pleased to announce the relaunch of Mizzima Weekly. Mizzima is dedicated to helping our readers and viewers keep up to date on the latest developments in Myanmar and related to Myanmar by offering analysis and insight into the subjects that matter. Our websites and our social media channels provide readers and viewers with up-to-the-minute and up-to-date news, which we don’t necessarily need to replicate in our Mizzima Weekly magazine. But where we see a gap is in providing more analysis, insight and in-depth coverage of Myanmar, that is of particular interest to a range of readers.
01062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
03062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
role of women and girls in various terror groupssadiakorobi2
Women have three distinct types of involvement: direct involvement in terrorist acts; enabling of others to commit such acts; and facilitating the disengagement of others from violent or extremist groups.
Russia's interests in the context of Asia-Pacific region security and development
1. Russian
International
Affairs Council
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS
IN THE CONTEXT
IN THE CONTEXT
OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND
SECURITY AND
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
№ 1 2012
4. UDK 327.323(5-012)=111
Russian International Affairs Council
Russian APEC Studies Center
Editor in Chief:
I.S. Ivanov, Corresponding Member, RAS, Dr. of History
Editorial Board:
I.S. Ivanov (Chairman), Corresponding Member, RAS, Dr. of History;
V.G. Baranovski, Academician, RAS, Dr. of History, Professor; A.M. Vasilyev,
Academician, RAS, Dr. of History, Professor; A.A. Dynkin, Academician, RAS,
Dr. of Economics, Professor; V.L. Inozemtsev, Dr. of Economics;
A.V. Kortunov, Ph.D in History; V.A. Mau, Dr. of Economics, Professor;
V.V. Naumkin, Corresponding Member, RAS, Dr. of History, Professor;
S.M. Rogov, Academician, RAS, Dr. of History, Professor; I.N. Timofeev,
Ph.D in Political Sciences, (Scientific Secretary)
Authors:
V. Sumsky, Dr. of History, E. Koldunova, PhD in Political Sciences,
E. Kanaev, Dr. of History
Copy Editors:
I.N. Timofeev, Ph.D in Political Sciences, T.A. Makhmutov, Ph.D in Political
Sciences, E.S. Alekseyenkova, Ph.D in Political Sciences, O.S. Rozhdestvenskaya
Translated by L. Kletsko, B. Osokin
Translation edited by B. Osokin
The report contains main conclusions and recommendations made upon the
outcomes of the First Asia-Pacific Forum held on November 28-29, 2011 by
Russian International Affairs Council jointly with Russian APEC Studies Center.
The publications reflect opinions expressed during the work of the forum panels
on regional cooperation and security in Asia-Pacific region, interaction in energy
field, food security problems and cooperation in the sphere of infrastructure and
transport development, education and innovations.
Russia’s Interests in the Context of Asia-Pacific Region Security and Development. Report/RIAC,
RSC APEC. – Moscow, Izdatelstvo Prospect, 2012. – 32 pages – ISBN 978-5-98597-238-2
Text Copyright RIAC
6. INTRODUCTION
On November 28-29, 2011 in Moscow Russian International Affairs Council
(RIAC) jointly with Russian APEC Studies Center (RSC APEC) played host to the
First Asia-Pacific Forum in light of Russia’s presidency in APEC organization.
The Forum pursued the aim of giving an expert assessment of Siberia and the
Far East accelerated development capabilities in cooperation with Russia’s APEC
partners and through Russia’s growing presence in the region. This report is a part
of preparations for the APEC Summit in Vladivostok to be held in September, 2012.
Experts, representatives of the executive branch, private sector and punditry
of Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, USA and Singapore took part in the work
of the forum. They specifically discussed the regional security challenges, prospects
of economic cooperation in Asia-Pacific region and Russia’s contribution into
collaboration especially in such fields as energy, infrastructure and transport, education
and innovations, food security and maintaining favorable investment climate.
THE FORUM WAS PREMISED
ON THE FOLLOWING
■■ The shifting of the global epicenter of economic activity towards Asia-Pacific
region is undisputable especially against the backdrop of the dispiriting crisis in
Europe and North America.
■■ Further procrastination of Russia as regards the prioritized development of
Siberia and the Far East is inadmissible; the soonest and decisive “turning towards
Asia” is a necessary condition for maintaining the status of the country which is
counts in the world.
■■ Along with Asia-Pacific economic might increase there is a growing danger of
regional conflicts, therefore it’s necessary to intensify ties with the region both
decisively and circumspectly, especially, in the light of the emerging confrontation
between the USA and China.
■■ The upcoming APEC Summit gives Russia an excellent opportunity to
demonstrate to itself and the foreign partners the earnestness of the plans for
6 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
7. the development of its Asian territories and cooperation within Asia-Pacific
region. These principles are shared by Russian and foreign participants to the
forum.
Short list of issues over which the participants to the forum differed:
Does Russia hosting the forthcoming Summit have the right to review
the APEC agenda traditionally focused on the issues of trade and economic
liberalization?
■■ How pertinent is the emphasis on cooperation in the sphere of energy,
infrastructure and transport obviously revealing Russia’s national priorities?
■■ Is it acceptable to put forward the initiatives that will be interesting, apart from
Russia, only to a few APEC members?
■■ What is better – a series of gradual and feasible steps in the field of logistics,
customs service, current transportation network upgrade or accelerated growth
of Siberia and the Far East through the implementation of energy, infrastructure
and other mega-projects with all the accompanying costs?
The proposals on optimal solution of these problems came as the main
outcome of the forum. They can be grouped in the form of the following
interrelated theses:
Firstly, APEC is a manifestation of a turning point in the world history. In fact,
it’s a “transition type” institution. Therefore, the review of the APEC agenda is
dictated by time, the more so because even ardent advocates of the systemic trade
liberalization in Asia-Pacific don’t expect a breakthrough in the foreseeable future;
Secondly, from the viewpoint of Russia’s partners in Asia-Pacific region the
intensification of activities on increasing infrastructural and energy sufficiency of
Siberia and the Far East has not only national but regional importance. For, it leads
to the reduction of social and economic “asymmetry” between Russia and its Asian
neighbors and broader cooperation between them and facilitates meeting its own
urgent needs;
Thirdly, even if only such “heavyweights” of the Asian North-East as China,
Japan and South Korea apart from Russia benefit mainly from these projects, their
importance for the region is so big that other APEC member-states will inevitably
feel their positive effect;
Fourthly, since it’s necessary to improve fast the situation with Russia’s trade
in Asia-Pacific, well-reckoned “cost-efficiency” measures in the sphere of logistics
is a prudent tactical move. That said these steps won’t definitely suffice to ensure
sustainable long-term growth of Siberia and the Far East. This strategic goal requires
the concentration of efforts and resources possible only within the mega-projects
7
8. framework.
Judging by the results of the forum Russia is capable of proposing to the participants
of the Summit such an action plan which will embrace both the continuity with the
previous summits, the review of its agenda, “technical” and “conceptual” approaches
to regional development, long- and short-term initiatives.
“Technical” part of the plan could be based on the priorities, i.e. the liberalization
of trade and investments, food security, improvement of logistics, encouragement of
innovative growth, already outlined by Russian Ministry of Economic Development and
Russian APEC Studies Center and brought to the partners’ notice which is completely
in line with the continuity pattern of the Russian presidency. Russia’s accession to
WTO, the creation of the Eurasian Union, the start of negotiations with New Zealand
on the establishment of a free trade zone, laying the foundation for the conduct of
similar talks with Vietnam and, possibly, with the whole ASEAN, would only make a
stronger impression that Russia continues to adhere to the traditional APEC agenda.
The so-called “conceptual” part would only naturally amplify this section of the
plan. Such already implemented projects as Trans-Siberian Railway, Eastern Siberia-
the Pacific Ocean oil pipeline, Sakhalin – Khabarovsk – Vladivostok gas pipeline and
GLONASS could be presented as genuine assets and elements of a would-be trans-
continental network of energy, transportation and information support. The Northern
Sea Route and Trans-Arctic Cable System could be used as instruments called upon
aligning the European and Asian parts of Russia and adding Eurasia to the economic
landscape of the Pacific. Along with them there could be mentioned Trans-Korean
Railway connected with Trans-Siberian Railway, Trans-Korean gas pipeline running from
Russia to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea, the
GLONASS-based system of satellite monitoring of commodities and transportation
flows and other innovations whose implementation would increase the efficiency of
the afore-said initiatives. As a result we could have a mega-project with the national,
regional and global resounding effect.
Using the term “connectivity” which became a buzzword in Eastern Asia after
the adoption in 2010 of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity it would be a good
idea to name the proposed mega-project «Eurasia-Pacific Connectivity Initiative». This
initiative could be presented to public at large in an article traditionally published by
the head of the Russian state in the run-up to the APEC Summit. It would be wise if
the expert community worked out a more detailed and comprehensive version of this
plan with the indication of the mega-projects’ total cost and the price of each of their
components. Since the Russian side has already done a good job to this regard the
preparations of such a document within the time left before the start of the Summit.
Following suit of Trans-Pacific Partnership as a format open for all volunteers out
of APEC participants, it could be a good idea to invite them again to joint realization
of the Eurasia-Pacific Connectivity Initiative. The invitations should be sent in the first
place to the members of the Eurasia Union. Presumably, it would only enhance Russia’s
position as the post-Soviet space integrator.
8 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
9. Finally, Russian society expects that in 2012 the newly elected President will
take steps reaffirming the will of the Russian leadership to finally abandon the “inertia
scenario” of the country’s development. The proposed initiative could contribute to it
significantly.
In fact, Russians and their foreign partners are looking forward to something
more in Vladivostok than formal “declarations of Asia-Pacific intentions”. Behind the
words and plans there should be concrete actions. Proceeding from this, it is proposed
to complement the two parts of the Vladivostok agenda with another, “project” one.
The results of the September APEC Summit a tipping point for Russia “turning to
Asia” would be more convincing if apart from transferring the campus compound
on the Island of Russky to Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) it included into
its agenda the conclusion of agreements on cooperation and realization of some
projects of scale, investments and creation of big joint ventures. In the next months, it
would make sense to consider a stock of business proposals we have received lately
from our Asia-Pacific partners, which haven’t been realized due to some reasons, in
order to understand whether any of them could be reinvigorated. Another option is
to offer Asia-Pacific countries’ companies already operating in the European part of
Russia to extend their business to Siberia and the Far East with the guarantees that
no unlawful pressure will be exercised on them.
The measures indicating the timing of a project launch within the framework of
the Eurasia-Pacific Connectivity Initiative would have tremendous positive effect. The
most ambitious of these projects is the construction of a tunnel under the Bering
Strait, which has been discussed for a century already. The Shanghai EXPO-2010
Grand Prix testifies to the degree of its technical preparedness for the realization.
As regards less costly and more realistic projects, the first place in terms of
potential economic and political benefit might belong to Trans-Korean railway and
Trans-Korean gas pipeline. It can’t be ruled out that under the circumstances when
the six-party talks on North Korean nuclear program are in deadlock, it is the joint
actions on the implementation of these initiatives that could reduce tension on the
peninsula. Anyway, at Moscow forum the speakers from South Korea paid special
attention to both Trans-Korean projects describing them as quite feasible, potent of
giving impetus to the transformation of Vladivostok into a modern megalopolis and
strengthening Russia’s position in North-East Asia.
On the whole, the preparations to the APEC Summit in 2012 should be
done in such a way so as to make this event, the apex of Russia’s presidency in the
organization, into a symbolic turning point starting from which the country will be
swiftly developing its territories neighboring fast-growing Asia and reaping more and
more benefits from the cooperation with it in the whole array of domains.
9
10. 1. ENERGY COOPERATION
The panel on energy of the First Asia-Pacific Forum was devoted to discussions
of the current state of affairs in Asia-Pacific region in terms of production, supply
and consumption of energy; besides, there were evaluated the prospects of energy
cooperation in the region; made some proposals on Russia’s contribution to further
development of cooperation, as a country that has a competitive edge in the field of
energy.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1. The forum participants noted that in APR (in contrast to Europe, for instance)
there has been a steady increase in energy consumption, which will remain
unchanged in the years to come.
2. While the demand for energy remains high, the Fukushima nuclear power
plant disaster in Japan has aroused concerns over the use of nuclear energy and
created new sets of problems in determining the energy balance of the countries
of the region.
3. Russia and APR countries mutually complement one another in matters of
energy security. Russia already has large-scale on-going projects in place such as
the ESPO pipeline. Russia has sufficient resources and technologies allowing it to
use innovative methods in hydrocarbons production and transportation. In their
turn, APR countries would like to reduce political risks associated with supplies
from the Middle East. All this creates a solid foundation for mutually beneficial
long-term cooperation between Russia and the Asia-Pacific countries in energy
sector.
4. However, the Energy Charter Treaty, adopted by several Asia-Pacific countries
(excluding China, South Korea and Russia) has failed to embrace certain spheres
of cooperation where Russia could make an important contribution to regional
cooperation. Among them, in particular, is nuclear energy and maritime transit of
energy resources.
5. Lack of an extensive energy infrastructure makes it a burning problem
requiring a speedy solution.
10 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
11. 6. In the course of the debate some foreign participants stressed that in today’s
world there is no shortage of hydrocarbons, oil, in particular. This aggravates the
competition of exporters for markets. The only solution to the problem is to
provide logistics of supply and reduce political risks.
PROSPECTS FOR COOPERATION
IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
Assessing the prospects for regional cooperation in energy, the forum
participants put forward the following considerations.
7. The key to further socio-economic development of APR is political stability.
Among the projects with potentially stabilizing effect on the situation in the region
are Trans-Korean pipeline which implies the construction of a pipeline originating
in Russia and crossing the peninsula from north to south and the commissioning of
a railway running parallel to it. The implementation of these plans would receive a
positive response among almost all the regional stakeholders.
8. Among possible areas of cooperation is the increase of infrastructural
interdependence. These would make producers responsible for the creation of oil, gas
and coal transportation systems, with consumers taking care of storage and processing
of raw materials systems. This idea was put forward by the foreign participants to the
forum. Russia’s interests would be better served as a result of pooling investment
resources of producers and consumers to create processing systems in our territory
(particularly in cross-border areas), which would lead to an increase in value added
to Russian energy products and strengthen the innovative component of the industry.
9. The imperative of our time is the encouragement of low-carbon energy in
Asia-Pacific region that meets the needs of the so-called green growth.
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS
10. Domestic and foreign participants of the discussion have pointed out that
even the most promising schemes of joint cooperation with APR countries would
not be fully effective, unless conditions of doing business in Russia and with Russia
change for the better. The improvement of Russian business environment and
investment climate are the main conditions for the success of the initiatives in this
area.
11. Russia is the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, and one of
the major producers of heating coal. Even the most conservative global energy
forecasts for the next two to three decades assume that oil and gas production
in Russia will either stabilize at current high levels or will continue to grow. As all
other world’s largest suppliers of energy resources Russia has begun to re-direct
energy flows towards Asia-Pacific region. Over the past decade the importance
11
12. of APR market for exports of Russian heating coal, oil and natural gas has grown
dramatically.
12. For Russia the energy partnership with Asia-Pacific countries may be
associated with the implementation of «energy in exchange for the development
of infrastructure and technology» principle.
13. In the light of the forthcoming APEC summit it would be appropriate to
use such a mechanism as APEC Energy Working Group (EWG, Energy Working
Group), in order to increase Russia’s energy presence in the region.
14. It would be reasonable to remind the Asia-Pacific partners of the proposals
for energy security put forward at the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg (G8 Initiative
«Global Energy Security») and apply them to the issues of cooperation within
APEC organization.
15. Prospects of energy cooperation between Russia and the Asia-Pacific
countries are primarily associated with the development of cooperation at the
level of energy companies. Establishing a system of energy cooperation between
Russia and the countries of the region it is necessary to build on the experience of
cooperation with Vietnam (Vietgazprom with assets in Vietnam and Gazpromviet
with assets in Russia), partnership of Rosneft and China’s CNPC. Such partnerships
are based on mutual exchange of resources, assets and markets, participation in
each other’s equity capital, joint R&D projects and joint exploration and processing
mechanisms. Possibly with time this experience could be extended to the Latin
American members of APEC.
16. Apart from hydrocarbons, nuclear power could become a priority area of
Russia’s cooperation with the countries of the region. Russia is already cooperating
in nuclear field with China and Vietnam and is prepared to promote similar
projects with other APEC members. There are options of internationalization of
such projects with the engagement of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (as suppliers of
uranium).
17. Possible export of Russian energy resources to the Pacific coast of the
United States should also be given consideration.
18. All of the above should be linked with the development of transport,
logistics and communications in the region as a whole, laying the emphasis in
the regional agenda on higher energy efficiency, energy conservation and other
innovations. All these issues could be arranged into a single conceptual framework
and connected with each other within the Eurasian-Pacific Connectivity Initiative.
12 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
13. 2. FOOD SECURITY
The panel on food security at the First Asia-Pacific Forum dealt with the main
trends of agricultural production development in Asia-Pacific region and associated
challenges; promising forms of concerted response to these challenges by the states
in the region; Russia’s contribution to the development of such interaction.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1. It was stated, in particular, that:
■■ In many countries and sub-regions of Asia-Pacific the population growth outpaces
the rate of food production growth. There is lack of new lands to be used for
agricultural production and irrigation. Production of major crops is transferred
to low fertility areas and those with unfavorable weather conditions. Across the
region the grain yield growth is low. In the last decade it was 1% per year for
wheat and rice, and 2% for maize;
■■ Growing middle class in the countries with a high rate of economic development
has an impact on the structure of the food basket with the rising share of animal
products. Besides, in many Asia-Pacific countries, especially in large cities, the
consumption of grain products is growing. As a result, there is an increasing
demand for food grains and fodder;
■■ Providing the growing fleet of vehicles with fuel in the face of rising world oil
prices is becoming a pressing issue in Asia-Pacific countries. The governments
of some APR countries actively support the increasing use of agricultural raw
materials for the production of bio-fuels (including, in particular, ethanol and
bio-diesel);
■■ In the foreseeable future global climate change can have a negative impact on
the state of the agricultural sector of the APR countries. Given its adverse effect
and continued use of the present day technologies, even lower yield of grain
(particularly wheat and rice) can be forecasted;
■■ The scale and scope of the food problem in different countries depend on general
level of socio-economic development. While economically powerful states can
13
14. mitigate the problem, for other countries it is an intolerable burden, seriously
complicating the prospects for development. The need to maintain stability in
the region induces the countries to establish multilateral cooperation in the field
of food security.
PROSPECTS FOR COOPERATION IN ASIA-PACIFIC
REGION
2. One of the promising areas of such cooperation is the formation of a
regional monitoring and projection system of the food situation. This implies, in
particular:
■■ Consolidation of national satellite systems capabilities with a view to collecting
data on agricultural production and developing optimal concerted response
measures;
■■ Increase of local agricultural and food markets transparency in the interests of
small producers and consumers, including the intensification of cross-border
trade;
■■ Informing each other on price change for the main agricultural products, sharing
data on current and projected capability of various exporters;
■■ Encouragement of inter-governmental projects implementation aimed at the
transfer of know-how and technology.
3. A higher level of coordination is required for providing food aid in
emergency situations. Devastating natural disasters depriving many thousands of
people of their livelihood have become a usual thing in APR and for providing
humanitarian aid emergency food supply reserves are needed. Representatives
of public and private entities in the region have to determine jointly relevant
conditions for and parameters of cooperation in this area.
4. Since APR is a maritime region, with seafood making up a large share of
the inhabitants’ ration, the fostering of aquaculture (i.e., artificial fish breeding and
processing, etc.) is a sphere of activity in which many food producers (including
medium and small enterprises) from different countries could combine their
efforts.
5. Problems that lie at the intersection of food and energy security give rise
to joint bio-fuel production projects and the use of new plant species as raw
materials for these purposes. It is expected that actual progress in this direction
will not only help create jobs but also reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the
atmosphere, preventing unfavorable climate changes.
6. There is, however, awareness that such measures can only partially
14 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
15. alleviate food crises. In order to be able to take effective decisions it is necessary
to maintain a high level of socio-economic development in individual countries and
the whole region.
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS AND CAPABILITIES
7. As a state belonging to Asia-Pacific region, the Russian Federation
whose cooperation with Asia-Pacific neighbors is expanding can contribute to
the strengthening of food security in the region. Russia’s potential in this area is
primarily linked to its vast arable land and huge reserves of fresh water. A large
share of these resources has not yet been exploited: according to available data,
Eastern Siberia and the Far East have up to 50% of unused arable land. Siberia and
the Far East could in a relatively short period of time substantially increase the
volume of grain production due to commercial exploitation of unused agricultural
land.
8. Given obvious inter-connection between the food and energy security
problems (bio-fuels can replace hydrocarbon resources lacking in energy balance),
the increase of Russian energy supplies to Asia-Pacific region would also have a
positive effect on the food situation in the region.
9. The forum specifically highlighted the possibility of establishing, at Russia’s
initiative and with the participation of interested Asian and Pacific neighbors, the
Regional Grain Foundation (similar to the East Asia Rice Foundation, formed by
the countries of ASEAN +3). According to the panelists the translation of such a
proposal into practice is quite feasible.
10. The Forum expressed the idea that Russian business community should
get more involved along with the partners from neighboring Asian countries in
the production of bio-ethanol. Crops that are high in starch and sugar used in the
production of ethanol – sugar beets, wheat, barley and potatoes – are traditional
for Russia.
11.There is another reason why the development of export-oriented
agricultural capability in Siberia and the Far East for the supply of neighboring
markets is profitable for Russia – ertilizer and agricultural machinery), as well as
for innovation, providing appropriate product volumes and consumer properties.
All these measures combined would raise economic development of the Russian
territories to a new level, enhance and increase the quality of our relationships
with Asia-Pacific region through cooperation in the food sector.
12. The opportunities outlined in this paper could be realized only with
qualitative improvements in the sphere of infrastructure, transport and logistics.
Without this, we and our partners in Asia-Pacific region will not have manufacturers,
suppliers and consumers of agricultural commodities and food products integrated
15
16. into a single production and supply chain. This problem could only be solved
through the implementation of mega projects - the multi-purpose, large-scale, long-
term undertakings. Being the host to the APEC summit in September 2012, Russia
could present such mega-project as the Eurasia-Pacific Connectivity Initiative.
3. REGIONAL SECURITY AND
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF
COOPERATION
It is practically universally acknowledged that APR is turning into a main
playground of global international relations of the 21st century. The world order
and its most important component – ties among the major states – would be
determined by the situation in APR, which is primarily transformed by the current
global leader, the United States of America (USA), and another rising global power,
the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Panel meetings of the First Asia-Pacific Forum
devoted to the traditional security challenges and institutional framework of APR
cooperation analyzed the specifics of the international political situation in the region
shortly before the APEC summit; identified the factors influencing the development
of multilateral regional cooperation; came up with recommendations as regards the
definitive Russia’s stance as a regional political player and participant of multilateral
cooperation.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1. In the course of discussions it was mentioned that the main factors determining
the military and political situation in the APR were as follows:
■■ Continued growth of economic and military might as well as international influence
of the PRC;
■■ Growing concern of a number of Asian countries as regards the PRC intentions;
■■ Enhancement of the elements of the PRC containment in the US Asian-Pacific policy;
■■ Persistent tension around the DPRK missile and nuclear programs;
■■ The Taiwan problem which has lost its acuteness but remains a potential source
of conflict.
16 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
17. Apart from these major factors the military and political situation in APR is
affected by:
■■ Escalation of the territorial dispute in the South China Sea between the PRC and
a number of ASEAN members – Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei,
as well as Taiwan;
■■ Territorial disputes between Japan and PRC over the Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands,
between Japan and South Korea over the islands in the Tsushima Strait;
■■ Territorial disputes between India and PRC in the Himalayas;
■■ Unsettled problem of territorial demarcation between Russia and Japan;
■■ Territorial disputes between South-Asian states, for instance, between Cambodia
and Thailand;
■■ Problems of religious extremism and terrorism, in particular, in Indonesia and
other countries of South-East Asia;
■■ Geopolitical rivalry between the two largest Asian powers – India and PRC.
2. In the course of discussions their participants pointed out that in the
second decade of the 21st century the relations between the two most influential
economic and political APR players, US and PRC, have been demonstrating clear
trends both towards geopolitical rivalry and sustained economic interdependence.
With “comeback to Asia” policy pursued by the B. Obama’s administration, US
emphasizes its status of a hegemon making the “rules of the game” in Asia-Pacific
region however it has to be faced with the tenacity of PRC which more vigorously
claims the role of a “natural leader” of the region.
3. USA’s tendency to PRC containment is a motivation clearly seen in
Washington’s relations with Taipei. The Americans make no secret that their
readiness to supply state-of-the-art armaments to Taiwan is a response to PRC
bustling activity in military construction, especially in building a modern ocean
navy.
4. Each of the two powers claims leadership in various formats of multilateral
regional cooperation. While Washington promotes the model of Trans-Pacific
cooperation and tries to draw in as many participants as possible, Beijing does not
conceal its critical attitude thereto. According to Chinese experts, US is trying
to take over the initiative in managing the processes of East-Asian regionalism,
diminish Beijing’s role therein, and contain the rival thereby. In its turn, PRC lays
emphasis on the leadership in the framework of ASEAN+3 dialogue platform.
China is guided by the understanding that in the long run it is these 13 countries
that will unite into the East Asian Community.
17
18. 5. The American “comeback to Asia” policy is in line with the wishes of
medium-size and small countries of the region: while actively trading with China,
they feel concerned about its economic breakthrough and signs of its emerging
geopolitical ambitions. Therefore, there is the following question to be answered
today: how can the polarization of forces in APR be stopped and the transformation
of regional players into hostages of the emerging Chinese-American face-off
prevented?
PROSPECTS FOR COOPERATION
IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
1. Under the circumstances both individual countries and groups (ASEAN
in the first place) persistently undertake efforts in finding and building a “new
regional architecture” of APR security, in stepping up economic cooperation. Such
dialogue platforms as the Trilateral Summit of Northeast Asian countries – China-
Japan-South Korea, Meeting of ASEAN+8 Ministers of Defense (ADMM plus) were
established at the turn of the first and second decades of the 21st century.
A milestone event was the enlargement of the East-Asian Summit with the
accession of the USA and Russia as full members.
2. A serious problem in creating a new architecture of regional security is the
adaptation to modern environment of the three treaty instruments of the Cold
War times: treaties on security issues between US and Japan, US and South Korea,
and the treaty on mutual assistance between PRC and DPRK.
3. Besides, another problem is trust building among the member states. It
would be difficult to resolve new security problems without a higher level of trust
among regional players – non-proliferation of WMD, providing security at sea,
cooperation in the field of prevention of natural and man-made disasters.
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS
1. Russia needs to use every opportunity to consolidate interaction with regional
partners without paying the price for its involvement into political games of others.
Moscow has to take a constructive stance towards both Beijing and Washington, and
in special circumstances can agree to play the role of a moderator in their relations if
it is needed, however, at that it has to retain a free hand and freedom of maneuver.
2. In this connection Russia has to work purposefully for a breakthrough in
its relations with Japan. Russia needs a friendly Japan as a modernization resource
and a factor of geopolitical balance in North-East Asia.
3. Russian interests cannot be fully harmonized either with those of the
18 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
19. Unites States or with the Chinese ambitions. Therefore, Russia has to pursue the
course of flexible maneuvering, under no circumstances bringing the country to
an unequivocal alliance with any of those centers of power. Such an approach can
become a factor of mutual rapprochement with the countries unwilling to become
hostage of the US-PRC confrontation. In the short run the coordination of efforts
aimed at the upkeep of regional balance and prevention of the polarization of
forces can become the main motive of the Russian policy in the region.
4. No matter how precisely-knit and purposeful the policy is, it would never
yield expected results without strong economic position in the region. APEC
presidency and the Vladivostok Summit must become a “benchmark” event
embarking Russia on the road of a more sustainable, intensive and rapid development
of Siberia and the Far East, thus consolidating their economic cooperation with
the Asian neighbors. Major infrastructural, transportation and energy projects are
called upon modernizing and developing Russian Asian territories, and at the same
time opening up foreign markets for Russian products.
4. EDUCATION, INNOVATIONS
AND SOCIAL CAPITAL IN REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
The panel on education, innovations and social capital in the APR countries
at the First Asia-Pacific Forum discussed the trends inherent in the region in these
fields; each topic under discussion gave birth to participants’ proposals related
to coordination and institutionalization of cooperation and estimated Russia’s
potential as a participant of regional cooperation in respective domains.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1. In particular, the participants to the discussion pointed out that today the
education resource is the most important component of human capital, and the
key factor of economic development of contemporary society, while innovations
are a driving force of a new stage of the world economic development. The speakers
laid emphasis on the following aspects:
■■ APR is a vast region with the population of more than four billion people or more
than 60% of the world population. Diversity of socio-economic and cultural-
historic conditions finds its reflection in the systems of higher education. In
19
20. contrast to Europe where the Bologna process and rapidly developing integration
in the sphere of education have a one-size-fits-all effect, the peculiarity of Asian-
Pacific Region is the preservation of unique national education and scientific
research systems.
■■ As regards the preparedness of individual countries and economies to innovation
development, and their involvement into international scientific and educational
cooperation, the differences in their standards persist and are even getting
deeper: the discord is especially pronounced between the leaders (US, Japan,
South Korea) and other regional players.
■■ Obviously, from the APEC format viewpoint the region needs such forms of
innovation and educational cooperation which, on the one hand, would not
potentially discourage any APEC member and, on the other, would provide for
“multi-speed” interaction. What is needed today is the creation of a set of variable
flexible conditions for cooperation especially in the fields where the results
would be most tangible and immediate and meet both common and national
interests of all stakeholders. In terms of organization, the most acceptable model
would be nonhierarchical network structures of cooperation because they are
the most promising in open cooperation-oriented socio-economic systems.
■■ Such cooperation could be tested in the priority fields suggested by the Russian
Federation during its presidency. These are: infrastructure, high-speed railways,
navigation systems, deep processing of hydrocarbons. It is entirely in line with the
Far East Federal University development priorities and can give a new impetus
to its advancement.
PROSPECTS OF COOPERATION IN APR
2. Within each item of the panel’s agenda two components could be
singled out – coordination-oriented and institutional. The coordination-oriented
component incorporates proposals appealing to all APEC members, (taking into
account that the forum documents are advisory in nature), which are easy enough
to implement. The institutional component represents the proposals presupposing
the establishment of additional institutional structures (or sophistication of the
existing structure) and, consequently, further efforts both during Russian APEC
presidency and far beyond 2012.
3. In terms of innovation sphere, under the heading of coordination can
fall the ideas of creating innovation and education databases including the pool
of venture projects and the pool of innovation infrastructure facilities. Other
suggestions deal with the creation of databases, related requests for financing
of innovation projects, consolidation of efforts of the national R&D foundations,
analysis of technology transfers within the APEC economic framework.
4. The idea of setting up a working group on innovation within the APEC
20 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
21. framework has much to do with the institutional structure improvement, which
would promote the establishment of close interrelation between education, science
and innovation development in the region. The mechanism of such linkage could
be formed through the creation of technological platforms on which business,
science and state will interact.
5. Such a measure of institutional nature as the establishment of regional
research foundations and multinational research groups focused on the priority
fields of scientific research (sea biological resources, Arctic exploration and
resource development, the climate change, pollution of the environment,
transportation and logistics) was also proposed at the forum.
6. As regards the sphere of education, the proposals of coordinating nature
are related to the formation of a common information space. The starting point of
the process could be a comprehensive study of APEC members’ educational and
scientific systems and the creation of a database on educational programs offered
by regional universities. Such a database could give an idea of the avenues open
for the development of academic and educational mobility. It could become an
instrumental resource for university students, professors and teachers, government
structures and private foundations engaged in educational internationalization.
7. From the institutional viewpoint, the participants came up with the
proposals of establishing the APEC universities partnership network through
harmonization of national systems of education (not standardization which can
cause predictable rejection).
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS AND CAPABILITIES
1. The Russian side could put forward a whole range of more specific proposals
on further interaction in education by means of “multispeed development” mechanism.
Cooperation of this sort could get materialized in the form of joint summer schools
and modules, mutual exchange of students and lecturers within a semester traineeship
format, development of standard supplements to the APEC universities’ diplomas
certifying the participation in joint programs, proliferation of programs providing for
double diplomas. The APEC universities could become members of such cooperation
mechanism proceeding from their capabilities and needs. Thus, a network of university
partnerships could be born under the APEC aegis.
2. In the long run such efforts could lead to the establishment of the APEC
Network University (for example, based on the Association of Universities of Asia
and the Pacific). However, it should be born in mind that the implementation of
the initiative within the APEC framework would require sophisticated and lengthy
harmonization procedures. The panelists’ opinion is that the best way to start
moving towards the creation of the Network University would be the initiation of a
Network Consortium with the participation of partners well-known to each other.
21
22. 3. Among other potential measures of institutional nature in the field of
education is the establishment of regional foundations with private capital support
aimed at increasing educational quality standards, as well as the formation of the
system of regional comparative benchmarking and rating of the APR universities.
4. Regarding Russia’s prospects in scientific and educational cooperation with
the APEC member-states it’s necessary to underline that so far Russia has failed
to evaluate properly the innovative and educational potential of cooperation with
the APR countries (with the exception of the USA). With its tangible experience
in international cooperation with European and US universities, Russia is only
insignificantly involved into direct scientific and educational cooperation with the
APR and APEC members.
5. Russia could contribute to the creation of platforms to discuss the problems
of education, science and innovation in APR, for instance, by establishing a Far
East Federal University-based permanent regional scientific and educational forum
where the aforementioned lines of cooperation would be high on the agenda.
6. It would be logical to start the work on simplifying Russian procedures of
patenting.
7. Innovations should be introduced with a view to their practical and wide
use in resolving everyday problems of industrial and territorial development,
socio-economic growth of Asian regions of the Russian Federation, Russia’s
involvement into the APR regional development. In this connection, the Far East
Federal University could become an important platform for project support both
in terms of science and innovation and in terms of training of specialists with
necessary technical and linguistic qualifications. Conceptually, the University could
take upon the function of development of social capital – in the sense of training
professionals of international level, well prepared for promoting the development
of the Russian Far East and Siberia and facilitating the strengthening of ties of those
regions and the country with APR in general based on pursuance of Russia’s long-
term interests.
22 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
23. 5. INFRASTRUCTURE AND
TRANSPORTATION AS FACTORS OF
COOPERATION
The First Asia-Pacific Forum regarded the development of infrastructure and
transportation as the most promising area of regional cooperation, focusing on
North-East Asia, primarily trans-Korean projects, as well as on Russia’s Siberia and
the Far East. The discussion produced a set of recommendations for the expansion
of Russian transport infrastructure.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1. The debate participants underlined that infrastructure and transportation
provide a vast field for innovative activities, as well as additional grounds for
promoting foreign trade and trans-border cooperation. The speakers pointed out
the existing potential for technological modernization through construction and
commissioning of high-speed railways.
2. The discussion of Trans-Korean projects boiled down to an understanding
that an advanced infrastructure may turn into a regional security factor. Elucidating
on impending dividends from the Vladivostok-South Korea pipeline via North
Korea with a parallel railroad connected to the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Forum
participants, including South Korean representatives, explicitly indicated that
major economic effect is not the only benefit to be expected. The project should
inevitably bring political gains, such as stronger partnership links between the two
Koreas and their improved cooperation with Russia.
3. At the same time, the participants found the current state of infrastructure
and transportation in Siberia and the Far East inadequate, impeding both their own
development and connections with the Asia-Pacific economic space. The speakers
reiterated that the construction of new communication lines, primarily railroads,
would boost the development of the Russian Far East. As a result, Russia would
become globally available as a unique land transit route between Europe and Asia, and
obtain previously unseen opportunities for productive interaction with Asia-Pacific.
4. A lively debate was devoted to the role and place of the infrastructure and
transportation issues in the working agenda to be presented by Russia as the chair
of the 2012 APEC Summit. Since the APEC agenda has for years been focused on
trade and economic liberalization, concerns surfaced regarding the limits of the
23
24. Summit host country’s privilege to update it. To this end, it was stressed that such
items as trade and investment liberalization, logistics improvement and promotion
of innovative growth were included in the Summit agenda and officially conveyed
to the partners to maintain the continuity under Russian presidency.
5. On the other hand, Russian scholars went into a discussion on current
developmental preferences for Siberia and the Far East, i.e. either taking a series
of practicable and relatively inexpensive steps in logistics, customs servicing and
modernization of communication lines or boosting economic development of the
area through costly mega-projects in energy, infrastructure and other fields.
PROSPECTS FOR COOPERATION
IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
6. The Forum foreign participants attached major importance to the
development of infrastructure partnership in Pacific Asia.
7. The speakers noted that ruling political and business elites in several Asia-
Pacific sub-regions simultaneously either plan or commence trans-border mega-
projects in the infrastructure, transportation and energy areas, which may bring
trade and economic cooperation between participating countries and groups of
countries to new heights. In this regard, the most telling seem to be the following
events:
■■ Adoption of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity in 2010.
■■ Construction of the Kunming-Singapore Railway launched in spring 2011 to
connect PRC with four South-Asian continental countries.
■■ Practical interest confirmed by the two Korean states in 2011 to construction of
the Trans-Korean Railway and linkup to the Trans-Siberian Railway, as well as to
the Trans-Korean Gas Pipeline to be laid through the DPRK territory to South
Korea.
8. Russia’s partners in Asia-Pacific believe that enhanced development of
infrastructure and energy resources in Siberia and the Far East has both national
and regional significance, as the process should diminish the socio-economic
asymmetry between the Russian Federation and Asian environment, as well as
widen the contact areas between Russia and its neighbors. Although such projects
understandably bring immediate dividends to Russia and such North-Eastern Asia
heavyweights as China, Japan and South Korea, other APEC members should also
garner cumulative positive effects.
24 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
25. RUSSIA’S INTERESTS AND CAPABILITIES
9. Since Russian trade with Asia-Pacific needs rapid improvement properly
calculated prudent steps in logistics seem to present a sensible tactical move.
However, sustainable and long-term economic development of Siberia and the Far
East obviously necessitate more action along these lines. The strategic goal calls for
concentration of resources and effort available only within mega-projects. A set of
proposals for development of infrastructure, transportation and energy resources
could form the basis for Russia’s entire agenda within its APEC presidency.
10. Russia has every opportunity to come up to the APEC Summit with an
action plan that could incorporate complementary elements of continuity from
previous summits and their agenda updates, technical and conceptual approaches
to regional development, as well as short-term and long-term initiatives. At that,
a collection of options related to infrastructure, transportation and energy could
make a key component of the entire program.
11. The plan’s infrastructural section could be justifiably reinforced by a more
distinct conceptual arrangement of Russian participation. Within such a format,
the existing projects (Trans-Siberian Railway, Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean
Pipeline, Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok Gas Pipeline, GLONASS, etc.) could
emerge as elements of a potential trans-continental energy supply, transportation
and information system. There are instruments that may strengthen links between
Russia’s European and Asian parts, have Eurasia integrated into the Pacific
economic landscape, and create a new bond between Eurasia and Europe, among
them the Northern Sea Route, Trans-Arctic Cable System, Baikal-Amur Railway,
etc. Also functional to this end seem the Trans-Korean Railway and the Trans-
Korean Gas Pipeline, a GLONASS-based space monitoring system for trade and
transportation flows, as well as other innovations able to step up the efficiency
of APEC economies and infrastructures. Practical significance of the entire Asia-
Pacific would obviously grow, should the program reflect the issues of air, sea and
river transportation, as well as highway construction, which were insufficiently
covered by the Moscow Forum.
12. It seems reasonable to borrow the concept of connectivity, popular in
East Asia after the adoption of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity in 2010,
and title the proposed mega-project «Eurasia-Pacific Connectivity Initiative». The
initiative could be made public in an article traditionally presented by Russia’s head
of state on the APEC Summit eve. The expert community should be offered a
larger detailed version of the text with indication of costs and dates for the mega-
project components.
13. Using the precedent of Trans-Pacific Partnership as a format open to
all APEC members, a similar invitation could be issued for the Eurasia-Pacific
Connectivity Initiative. It seems quite logical to also invite members of the Eurasian
Union, which would only strengthen the positions of Russia as the integrator of
25
26. the post-Soviet space.
14. Since conceptual decisions at the APEC Summit should be not only declared
but also supplied with substance, major positive effect may arise from measures
indicating the launch of practical projects mentioned in relation to the Eurasia-Pacific
Connectivity Initiative. The largest of them has been under discussion for more than
one hundred years and envisages construction of a tunnel under the Bering Strait with
railway tracks and other structures. In the post-Soviet period, the Council on Analysis
of Production Forces of the Russian Federation Ministry for Economic Development
and the Russian Academy of Sciences (headed by Dr. V.N.Razbegin) delivered a detailed
study of the issue, followed by a series of trustworthy international appraisals and
presentations to potential investors. The project may boast a high degree of readiness,
which is supported among other things by the Grand Prix at the Shanghai EXPO-2010.
15. As far as less costly and ambitious projects are concerned, of top priority
both in economic and political potential seem to be the Trans-Korean Railway and
the Trans-Korean Gas Pipeline, which may boost transformation of Vladivostok into a
modern megalopolis and bolster overall positions of Russia in North-East Asia.
16. According to experts, this year the world is expected to face difficult
challenges emanating from the continuing global crisis. China’s recent experience has
shown that high growth rates can be maintained with help of large-scale investment
in infrastructure. In the light of hardships that may occur in the global and Russian
economies by September 2012, the infrastructure and transportation issues in the
APEC program are acquiring additional significance.
6. Regional Cooperation
in North-East Asia
Alongside Russian presidency in APEC, special attention of the First Asia-Pacific
Forum was attached to the issues of regional cooperation in North-East Asia, what is
quite appropriate since the region has produced major economic powers like China,
Japan and South Korea. Being at the same time the closest neighbors of Russia, these
countries possessing huge investment assets but lacking natural resources, might
be viewed as Russia’s potential partners in implementation of major infrastructure,
energy and transportation projects, requiring sizable investments. Hence, detailed
consideration was given to the problems and prospects of regional cooperation, as
well as to the role of Russia in this process.
26 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
27. PANEL DISCUSSIONS
1. The Forum participants stated that progress in the development of multilateral
cooperation in North-East Asia is hindered by territorial disputes and entrenched
conflicts. The most acute problem of the kind is the 50-plus-year-long confrontation
in the Korean Peninsula. The situation is aggravated by fierce competition between
the USA and China, especially, since Tokyo and Seoul militarily and politically allied
with Washington just as it was in the Cold War period.
2. As for Russia, until recently its productive cooperation with neighbors in
North-East Asia has been obstructed by a series of interconnected factors. Among
them the business climate failing to meet the investors’ expectations; “two-speed”
socio-economic development dynamics of Siberia and the Far East, on the one
hand, and the adjacent North-East Asian countries, on the other; and shortage of
practical evidence that Russian authorities are determined to develop rapidly the
territories beyond the Urals.
3. However, reports of foreign experts have indicated that North-East Asia is
developing demand for Russia in view of foreign trade partnership. It is the global
crisis that makes even robust national economies search for new opportunities to
remain afloat. Undoubtedly, the 2011 political upheavals in the Arab world have
caused marked anxiety in China, Japan and South Korea, principal importers of
hydrocarbons from the Middle East producers. These developments make them
think hard about alternative sources of critical energy supplies (from Russia, for
example), with the Fukushima factor making Japan think along the same lines.
PROSPECTS FOR ASIA-PACIFIC COOPERATION
4. The ability of the USA and China to harmonize attitudes to major economic
issues will transform into a key factor defining the contents and forms of integration
processes in Asia-Pacific, North-East Asia included.
5. The institutionalization of cooperation in North-East Asia is increasingly
capturing the minds of expert communities and governing elites of respective
countries. However, there is neither clear understanding nor particular consensus
on specific steps taken towards regional integration.
6. Having underlined the importance of the two Trans-Korean projects,
i.e. gas pipeline and railway, in which Russia is to play a key role, South Korean
representatives repeatedly raised the issue of multilateral cooperation in
North-East Asia, both in the economy and security areas with crucial Russian
participation. Specifically, it was proposed to establish the Institute for North-East
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28. Asian Community Building which will be based in South Korea but supported by
governmental, business and academic resources of the entire region. Its main task
will be to develop concepts and mechanism of multilateral cooperation.
7. A similar proposal, seemingly earlier agreed with South Korean colleagues,
came from US representatives, who also launched an idea to make the Far Eastern
Federal University (FEFU) a platform for the discussion of optimal multilateral
cooperation frameworks for North-East Asia, on the one hand, and a body for
selection and elaboration of specific regional cooperation projects, on the other.
Repeated statements were also heard concerning the USA, which does not belong
to North-East Asia geographically but is tightly linked to the area and should
participate in the processes. Otherwise, multilateral interaction would receive no
impetus for productive development.
RUSSIA’S INTERESTS AND CAPABILITIES
8. The emerging demand for Russia in North-East Asia calls for an immediate
and constructive response, bearing in mind that Russia’s APEC presidency has to
meet high expectations of its partners in the region. Moscow should do its best
to boost bilateral relations with the neighbors and shore up its standing in North-
East Asia to exclude any doubts about the relevance of Russia’s participation in the
multilateral cooperation structures, if and when they emerge in the future.
9. Currently, major efforts should be concentrated on the development
of relations with Japan and Republic of Korea, which seem ripe for joint large-
scale projects with Russia in the fields of immediate Russian interest, i.e. energy,
infrastructure, transportation and relevant innovations.
10. Russia’s regional policy should prioritize comprehensive cooperation
with PRC. At that, Moscow’s approaches to regional cooperation should be
free of moves that could be perceived by Beijing as an attempt to collude with
forces aiming to contain China. Although cooperation with China has no strategic
alternative, Cino-Russian rapprochement and wider economic cooperation should
not lead to Moscow’s passive and uncontrollable drift towards Beijing.
11. So far, there have been no explicit signs of American willingness to join
processes and projects related to the development of Siberia and the Far East.
However, such a scenario is not impossible since the global crisis would drive the
USA towards nonstandard measures, which means that our project outlays should
envisage niches for prospective American participation.
12. With the APEC Summit approaching, the Forum participants put forward
a number of proposals:
■■ Establish an expert forum on the FEFU platform for holding annual conferences
on cooperation in North-East Asia, with setting up a FEFU division staffed by
28 RUSSIA’S INTERESTS IN THE CONTEXT OF ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT
29. Russian and foreign specialists for elaboration of projects on the development of
Siberia and the Far East. Official presentation of both initiatives should take place
on the eve or during the 2012 APEC Summit.
■■ Grant South Korea the privilege for the establishment of the Institute for
Northeast Asian Community Building, along with the conclusion of an agreement
with the founders that the Institute should coordinate its activities with the
abovementioned expert forum and project development division of FEFU.
■■ Explore possible early launch of the Trans-Korean projects in the pre-Summit
period and declare their official initiation on the eve or during the Summit
provided firm agreements to this end have been made available.
■■ Take stock of previous and still unrealized proposals extended to Japan on the
development of East Siberia gas deposits, and upon the conclusions made decide
on whether it’s worth coming back to a new discussion of the problem and the
prospects of reaching an agreement with Japan before September 2012.
13. Due to the Eurasia-Pacific Connectivity Initiative, the issues of Russia’s
cooperation with its neighbors in North-East Asia should proceed to a higher
qualitative level since the main external partners that can contribute to the
Initiative implementation are the countries of North-East Asia.
14. Ideas and proposals on regional cooperation in North-East Asia put
forward at the First Asia-Pacific Forum shall be further developed and specified at
the subsequent events organized by Russian International Affairs Council.
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