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Financial meltdown may trigger integration in Central Asia - expert
Astana, November 7 2008
The recessionary trends in the world economy could become a catalytic agent for integration processes in Central Asia, Kazakhstan's Risk Assessment Group director Dosym Satpaev.
At Masanov's Discussion Clubs in Almaty Satpaev said that "due to the world crisis, every country in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are experiencing serious problem that vary greatly from state to state.
Satpaev finds the most reasonable way of integration in Central Asian is a water and energy consortium.
"The rational use of water and energy resources is the hot-button issue for all states in the region and the negligence of this issue could be crucial for every state," Satpaev said.
"If the countries work our coordinating principles within the water consortium, it could built a good foundation for further efficient cooperation," he said.
Satpaev believes that the resistance of "a ruling power" in each Central Asian state hinders the integration, as each state sees consolidation as a threat to their sovereignty.
Satpaev believes that integration is necessary for ensuring regional security and promoting integration of the region into the world community.
"Every Central Asian state poses no interest on its own, but a unified economic area consolidating 55 million people is much more appealing and significant on the world arena," the expert said.