In the foreign relations of the five Central Asian countries, Russia is given the highest priority, while Kazakhstan, Turkey and other countries regard the development of relations with Russia as the "most important" and "strategic" relationship. Uzbekistan believes that "without maintaining friendly and cooperative relations with Russia, Uzbekistan will have no future."
The five Central Asian countries made this decision mainly for the following reasons:
First, historical reasons. The five Central Asian countries and Russia have lived together for a long time and are inextricably linked in economy, politics, military affairs and humanities, which is incomparable to other countries.
Second, economic reasons. Due to the long-term implementation of the "division of labor" policy in the former Soviet Union, Central Asian countries are only producers of raw materials, with a single economic structure and heavy dependence on Russia. This economic link cannot be changed in a short time. For the survival and development of the country, Central Asian countries have to treat their relations with Russia realistically.
Third, military reasons. Although Central Asian countries have established their own armies after independence, their numbers are small and their weapons supply also depends on Russia. The independence and territorial integrity of all countries depend on Russian military asylum.
Fourth, a large number of Russians live in Central Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, they have to consider this important human factor when developing foreign relations.
1In March 1994, Uzbek President Karimov listed three reasons why Uzbekistan attaches importance to developing relations with Russia: First, relying on Russia's economic and intellectual strength, while relying on Russia's military strength to ensure domestic stability, domestic life and national prospects; Second, because "there are no large industrial enterprises in Ukraine that have nothing to do with Russia", it is necessary to strengthen economic cooperation with Russia; Thirdly, since Russia has been a close neighbor of Ukraine for more than 100 years, the two countries have established inseparable economic and cultural relations. Karimov's remarks are representative and clearly explain why Central Asian countries attach importance to developing relations with Russia.
Based on the above reasons, the five Central Asian countries have formulated their own policies toward Russia. Generally speaking, the five countries' policies toward Russia are similar. The main contents are summarized as follows:
First, make clear Russia's special position in foreign relations, that is, regard Russia as the "first cooperative partner" and call their relationship "the most important", "the best" and "strategic".
Second, strive to seek economic integration with Russia, but on the premise of not damaging national independence and sovereignty and safeguarding territorial integrity. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan build "integration" with Russia through treaty relations, while Turkey and Ukraine advocate strengthening economic ties with Russia through bilateral relations.
Third, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan jointly defend with Russia militarily by signing a collective security treaty. In fact, they are seeking military asylum. Although Turkey has announced a policy of permanent positive neutrality, it still cannot do without Russian military support and protection. The same is true for Ji.
Fourth, efforts should be made to coordinate with Russia in international affairs and CIS affairs.
Fifth, criticize and struggle against Russia's words and deeds that are detrimental to its own interests. When dealing with Russia, all countries insist on safeguarding their own national and national interests, not just Russia.
2. Political relations between the five Central Asian countries and Russia.
Generally speaking, the political relations between the five Central Asian countries and Russia are quite close, among which Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are more prominent. This is mainly manifested in:
The five Central Asian countries and Russia are all members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. On many important issues of CIS, except Turkmenistan, the other four countries are basically the same as or close to Russia. For example, in May 1992, except Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, all the other three countries joined the collective security treaty, mainly composed of Russia. 1993 65438+ 10, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Turkey signed the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Independent States. 1In September 1993, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Turkey joined the "Economic Union". 1995 65438+ 10, Kazakhstan signed a "customs union" with Russia and Belarus. 1In March 1996, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed the Treaty on Deepening Economic and Humanities Integration with Russia and Belarus.
② High-level visits are frequent, especially between Kazakhstan and Russia. According to incomplete statistics, from June 1992 to June 1996, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Russia met more than 1 1 times, and there were more meetings at the deputy prime minister level. This does not include the meeting with Russia when Kazakhstan's president, prime minister and other high-level officials attend the CIS meeting or other multilateral meetings. The President of Uzbekistan paid official visits to Russia in May 1992 and March 1994. Acting Russian Prime Minister Heydar and current Prime Minister chernomyrdin also visited Uzbekistan. The five Central Asian countries have also signed a large number of agreements and agreements with Russia. During Nazarbayev's first official visit to Russia as President of Kazakhstan in March this year, the two sides signed 23 documents. 1995 10. In October, Nazarbayev and Yeltsin signed another 17 document on bilateral relations in Moscow. 1in may 1995, Turkmenistan president Niyazov visited Moscow, and the two countries signed 23 documents to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Since 1992, Kyrgyzstan has signed 75 treaties, agreements and agreements with Russia. These documents have both economic and human contents and military contents. They not only solved some new problems in state relations since independence, but also raised bilateral relations to a new height.
Except Tajikistan, the other four countries have signed treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) or friendship and cooperation (Turkey) and principles of friendship and cooperation (Uzbekistan) with Russia. These treaties make bilateral relations alliance, especially those signed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
3. Economic relations between Central Asian countries and Russia.
Due to historical reasons, the economic relations between Central Asian countries and Russia are quite close, especially their dependence on Russia is great. For example, before independence, 67% of oil, 29% of petroleum products, 2/3 of wood and its products, 90% of machine products and 60% of daily consumer goods used by Kazakhstan came from Russia. Kazakhstan's domestic final product output only accounts for 27%, and 42.5% of these 27% products are matched by Russia. If the economic ties between Kazakhstan and Russia are interrupted, Kazakhstan will have almost no final products to produce. Turkmenistan is rich in natural gas, and the only pipeline to transport natural gas abroad is through Russia to Europe. If Russia closes the natural gas pipeline, Turkmenistan will immediately lose its source of foreign exchange income. After independence, Central Asian countries tried to change this dependence. However, since the economies of all countries were in a state of crisis at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and relations with other countries have just been established, it is impossible to change this pattern soon. Their relationship with Russia is still very close. During the period of 1994, the proportion of Russia in the exports of Central Asian countries was: Kazakhstan -76%, Ukraine -62. 1%, Kyrgyzstan -48.3%, Tajikistan -28.5%, Turkey-17.6%, ranking among Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. The proportion of Russia in the exports of the five Central Asian countries is: Kazakhstan -77.2%, Ukraine -43.7%, Kyrgyzstan -27.8%, Tajikistan -50%, Turkey -3.4%, ranking first among Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan ranked second. The above data show that if the five Central Asian countries are interrupted, even the economic relations with Russia will deteriorate, which will have a significant impact on their own economies. This is why Central Asian countries, especially Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine, are trying to achieve economic integration with Russia.
The five Central Asian countries are trying to integrate their economies into the world economic integration and diversify their economic ties, but at the same time, they are still strengthening their economic relations with Russia. In particular, efforts should be made to attract Russian capital and technology and strengthen bilateral economic and technological cooperation. For example,1In August, 1995, entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan and Russia signed an agreement in Almaty to establish the "Kumkol-Rukoil" joint company, which is a large-scale project invested by Russia to exploit Kazakhstan's oil. 1995165438+10 In October, Nazarbayev held talks with Yeltsin when he visited Moscow. The two sides discussed the joint development of petroleum resources and the formation of financial and industrial groups. 1In July, 1995, during Russian Prime Minister Dmitry chernomyrdin's visit to Ukraine, Ukraine and Russia not only signed the basic principles and policy agreements of the economic cooperation between the two governments, but also signed the agreement on the establishment of the "Ilyushin" transnational joint financial industrial group and the agreement on the Ukrainian textile holding company. 1In May 1995, during Turkmenistan's President Niyazov's visit to Russia, Turkey and Russia signed an agreement on the basic principles and guidelines for economic cooperation between the two countries before the year 2000. This is unprecedented in the CIS countries. Turkey and Russia also signed cooperation agreements in the fields of oil and gas. The above facts show that the economic cooperation between Central Asian countries and Russia has gradually expanded from trade cooperation to financial and technical cooperation.
4. Military relations between Central Asian countries and Russia.
Central Asian countries did not have their own army in the early days of independence. Soon, countries established their own armies based on the former Soviet troops stationed in their own countries, but the number was not much. Kazakhstan 1 0.6 million, Kyrgyzstan10.5 million, Ukraine110,000. This army can't ensure the security of the border. Therefore, except Uzbekistan, the border guards of all countries are basically served by Russian troops. Countries also rely mainly on Russia for military equipment and officer training.
1in may, 1992, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Tajikistan joined the collective security treaty mainly composed of Russia, which stipulated the obligations of the contracting parties to each other's security. In fact, the countries that joined the Treaty entrusted their own security to Russia. Nazarbayev believes that since the signing of the collective security treaty, the territories of Kazakhstan and Russia should be regarded as a unified defense space, and the armed forces should move closer and even establish joint clusters. Although Turkmenistan has not acceded to the collective security treaty, it has signed a series of agreements involving military cooperation with Russia, including the Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Air Defense. At present, the Turkish border is basically manned by Russian troops, and Turkey also stipulates that Russian officers can serve in the Turkish army. As for Tajikistan's current security and stability, it basically depends on the protection of the Russian army.
The military cooperation between the five Central Asian countries and Russia is also manifested in the fact that Russia trains officers for Central Asian countries, coordinates the production and ordering of military products, and ensures the coordination of active officers and the resettlement treatment after retirement. The five Central Asian countries seek Russian "nuclear protection" in the case of denuclearization. In the field of foreign military affairs, Central Asian countries try their best to coordinate their positions with Russia. For example, we basically agree with Russia on the issue of NATO's eastward expansion.
5. The relationship between the five Central Asian countries and Russia in the humanities field.
The issue of Russians in five Central Asian countries is one of the important issues that affect the development of relations between Central Asian countries and Russia. At present, there are about 6 million Russians in Kazakhstan, 6.5438+0 million in Ukraine and 900,000 in Kyrgyzstan. There are about 300,000 people in Turkey. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the status of Russians living in Central Asia has changed greatly. During the period of the former Soviet Union, most Russians here lived in towns and engaged in administration, science and technology, culture, education and health. 70% of Russians in Kazakhstan live in cities. Although Russians account for only 8% in Uzbekistan, Russians account for more than half of the capital Tashkent. 199 1 year, the Russian population accounts for 2 1.5% of the total population of Kyrgyzstan, but accounts for half of the urban population. Russians living in Central Asia at that time were not much different from those living in Russia.
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the status of Russians was far less superior than that before independence, because the rulers of Central Asian countries strengthened the consciousness of the main ethnic groups, for example, the main administrative officials appointed more local main ethnic groups and made the main ethnic group language "national language". Central Asian countries regard Russians living here as part of their citizens. Although Russian officials have not officially announced that these people are Russian citizens, they all regard them as a special "population group", call them "Russians outside China" and regard defending their interests and rights as an important "vital interest" of Russia. The differences between Central Asian countries and Russia in their positions on these people often lead to friction and opposition. The so-called "overseas Russians" problem is one of the main problems affecting the relations between Central Asian countries and Russia.
How to solve this problem is one of the difficult problems faced by all countries. Russia put forward the idea of "dual nationality", which was only accepted by Turkmenistan. None of the other four countries in Central Asia accepted it. 1995, Kazakhstan and Russia signed two documents, namely, the treaty between Kazakhstan and Russia on the legal status of citizens living in Russia and simplifying the procedures for applying for permanent residence in each other, which simplified the procedures for the migration and change of nationality of citizens of Kazakhstan and Russia and solved the acute problem of the status of Russians in Kazakhstan. 1in March 1996, the signing of the integration treaty between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Belarus helped to further solve this problem.
Central Asian countries and Russia also have extensive cooperation in culture and education. For example, Russia trains diplomats and other students for Central Asian countries. Russia has also opened a Russian university in Kyrgyzstan to provide higher education for Russians living in Kyrgyzstan. Russian newspapers and television are still distributed and broadcast in Central Asian countries, which has a wide influence on Central Asian countries.