Abstract:
This paper is dedicated to developments related to integration processes between
Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus, which have collective existence as the Customs Union
and the Single Economic Space. If matters progress as projected, within two years they
will form a Eurasian Union modeled on the EU. The integration in Eurasia is developing
with remarkable speed and has several obstacles to overcome. The first of these difficulties
centers on economic relations. The second is the fear that Kazakhstan and Belarus have
concerns about a potential loss of sovereignty, including a reduction in their capability to
manage their internal and external affairs independently. The third set of problems relates
to the smaller countries’ desire to avoid dependence on one state, Russia, a situation which
would lead to a rise in Russia’s geopolitical role in the world. Also the Eurasian Union
relates to counterbalance the strengthening of China’s involvement in Central Asia policy.
