The Eurasian Economic Union – ideas and perspectives

The Eurasian Economic Union is an organization that consists of five member states – Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. Declaratively, this initiative is purely economic, but it’s hard not to notice also its political nature. Compared to previous attempts to integrate the post-Soviet area, this current (Eurasian) is quite efficient, although many of the objectives still remain unfulfilled. Politicians (especially Russian) are looking for ways to strengthen the organization and, in addition to deepening cooperation, are also planning to expand the ECU and attract some other states. Politicians ideas often do not coincide with reality and in this article they have been critically analyzed. The most likely future member of the ECU seems to be Tajikistan, a country still heavily dependent on Russia. Other ideas for widening the organization are very questionable (Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova), some of them are unreal (Turkey, Syria) and some even surprising (Greece, Cyprus)