Kyrgyzstan planning to join the Eurasian Union.
Kyrgyzstan launches a "road map" for joining the CU
http://ria.ru/economy/20140603/1010504108.html
Topic: Eurasian Economic Union established (Read 1230 times)
Perhaps you and your Russian compatriots should show a bit more concern about Putin's high popularity? Shouldn't there be at least a couple of strong competitors with around 20% to 30% support? Are there any real opposition parties? Are there any protests about things (real, important things) that the Russian people disagree with and want their government to do differently?
Check the election results and you'll get your answer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_legislative_election,_2011
It seems ironic that the communists were so sensitive, like royalty. This sensitivity is part of what led to their downfall. There was also the financial incompetence, which could have led to some kind of inferiority complex... But, as you can see, trying to silence criticism and opposition was a fatal mistake.
Actually, you are not too far from truth there. They were communists in name only. They de facto continued the system of monarchy, only with a much stronger oppression apparatus.
I hadn't considered that it wasn't accidental. Thanks for that thought!
And I guess your earlier point has some merit, since the EU is not a country and the usual nationalism and cultural coherence doesn't apply. Apart from some polite flag-waving on government buildings, there seems to be very little 'love' for the EU.
Please take my point about the negative feedback as a helpful hint. ;-)
Are there any protests about things (real, important things) that the Russian people disagree with and want their government to do differently?
Nah, only the usual European things... gay rights and such. [/trolling] 
It seems ironic that the communists were so sensitive, like royalty. This sensitivity is part of what led to their downfall. There was also the financial incompetence, which could have led to some kind of inferiority complex... But, as you can see, trying to silence criticism and opposition was a fatal mistake.
Actually, you are not too far from truth there. They were communists in name only. They de facto continued the system of monarchy, only with a much stronger oppression apparatus.
Monarchy or dictatorship can be good, if a monarch does not only think of his pocket. Alas, such monarchs are far between.
Economic cooperation is always a good thing. It makes hostility less likely. I suspect this move might be more about Putin's dreams of restoring the Soviet empire but time will tell.
It makes hostility less likely? What? Have a look at the European union. The eurosceptics are increasing, hostility towards the union even comes from within it now.
Because EU has grown from being an economic/trade union to a political/centristic union. EU in its current form is not far from what Soviet Union was.
As you can see, anyone can say whatever shit they want about the EU. There's criticism everywhere. This freedom and openness is the extreme opposite of the fearful East European culture pre-dating the 1990s. It seems ironic that the communists were so sensitive, like royalty. This sensitivity is part of what led to their downfall. There was also the financial incompetence, which could have led to some kind of inferiority complex... But, as you can see, trying to silence criticism and opposition was a fatal mistake.
Economic cooperation is always a good thing. It makes hostility less likely. I suspect this move might be more about Putin's dreams of restoring the Soviet empire but time will tell.
It makes hostility less likely? What? Have a look at the European union. The eurosceptics are increasing, hostility towards the union even comes from within it now.
You can't have a stable system without negative feedback.
Perhaps you and your Russian compatriots should show a bit more concern about Putin's high popularity? Shouldn't there be at least a couple of strong competitors with around 20% to 30% support? Are there any real opposition parties? Are there any protests about things (real, important things) that the Russian people disagree with and want their government to do differently?
Economic cooperation is always a good thing. It makes hostility less likely. I suspect this move might be more about Putin's dreams of restoring the Soviet empire but time will tell.
It makes hostility less likely? What? Have a look at the European union. The eurosceptics are increasing, hostility towards the union even comes from within it now.
Because EU has grown from being an economic/trade union to a political/centristic union. EU in its current form is not far from what Soviet Union was.
Global GDP? Who cares. The important bit there is the percentage of GDP constituted by the trade with the neighbouring countries.
Glad you agree!Russian GDP in 2013:
$2.1T~$2.55T
European Union GDP in 2013:
~$16.5T
Although economic size should not be the only factor, there's a simple argument that if the Ukraine increases its trade with the EU, the potential gains for the Ukraine could far outweigh the financial losses on the Russian side.
And whose side are you on anyway? When Russians shed crocodile tears about "Ukrainian" trading losses, we must remember that Russians are not a neutral party to the debate. They, Russia, are trying to make a profit by being the other trading partner!
Paraphrasing some of the Russian sentiment: "oh my god, the evil IMF and bankers will enslave the Ukraine. But when they have 'free trade' with Russia instead, it's all effin sunshine and rainbows." See adjacent thread...
No. Just look at the Ukrain's current economic status, even ignoring all the fighting.
1) The hryvnia is complete shit
2) Everyone is dirt poor,
3) and yet that 60% trade with Russia is somehow Ukraine's saving grace that makes it all better?
Translating:
1) The Ukrainians are mostly working for Russia.
2) The average Ukrainian is really poor, and don't forget that gas usury.
3) Therefore, the Ukrainians are slaves to Russia.
listen here honey baby.atleast Russians overwhelmingly voted for putin which lends credibility for all he did and will do.what do we have in the US? Electoral college which steals votes and hives it to whom the rich want in power.Bush clearly lost his second term but they still gave him extra votes , so once again who are the real dictators?
What percentage of global GDP does this Eurasian Economic Union have?
What percentage of global GDP does the European Union have?
What percentage of global GDP does the European Union have?
If we go by the GDP figures, then very soon you will be asking the US and the UK to merge with China. The European Union is having stagnant GDP figures and many of the member nations are bankrupt.
Global GDP? Who cares. The important bit there is the percentage of GDP constituted by the trade with the neighbouring countries. I.e., Ukraine's trade with Russia is over 60% of Ukrainian GDP (or thereabout). And ukraine is doing everything it can to cut itself off from its trade revenue. Oh, well... At least the other countries are more pragmatic.
What percentage of global GDP does this Eurasian Economic Union have?
What percentage of global GDP does the European Union have?
Perhaps that's why Moscow is "desperately clawing at the elusive Ukraine"? Please join Russia! Our leader is really nice and extremely popular, and we need some real countries to join us so that our union doesn't look too pathetic. By the way, we're sorry about all those comments we made earlier about you not being a real country. Please join us!
Oh look! I just did a little "union" with myself!
What percentage of global GDP does the European Union have?
Perhaps that's why Moscow is "desperately clawing at the elusive Ukraine"? Please join Russia! Our leader is really nice and extremely popular, and we need some real countries to join us so that our union doesn't look too pathetic. By the way, we're sorry about all those comments we made earlier about you not being a real country. Please join us!
Oh look! I just did a little "union" with myself!
The next step would be to see if China would join this economic union, but they seem to be largely independent at this point.
I don't think that it will happen soon. Any such measure will be harmful to the current member states. The reasons are:
1. If China joins the Eurasian Union, then Chinese nationals will be free to work in any of the member states. This can result in the mass migration of millions of Chinese nationals to Kazakhstan and Russia.
2. Chinese nationals will be able to buy farmland and other property in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, which in the long term can cause resentment among the local population.
3. Chinese goods will enjoy duty-free status, which can destroy the manufacturing sector in the current member nations.
Russia and its neighboring countries are doing a right thing by creating Eurasian Economic Union. It will strengthen their economic and political ties and make transfer of ideas much faster. And president of Kazakhstan is right they do have to watch for deindustrialization not to take place because this is the main thing that they needed to learn from EU.
The next step would be to see if China would join this economic union
In this case many other european and asian states will follow... Ignoring the US & EU screams, because it's all about their own pocket.
This union was many years in the making. The current events in Ukraine had nothing to do with the creation of the union, though the reverse does not apply.
Call me paranoid, but I think this is less to do with economics and the sudden amount of western aggression so close to their borders, particularly in response to the sanctions that have been placed against countries like Russia, seems like a way to give the European and U.S powers the middle finger really. Not that I don't approve of that kind of thing, but I think it's a good idea to remember these guys aren't necessarily any more benevolent than the people they're fighting against, if you don't believe me, check a standard google map and just look at their locations.
The next step would be to see if China would join this economic union, but they seem to be largely independent at this point.
The next step would be to see if China would join this economic union, but they seem to be largely independent at this point.
It would have been much better had Ukraine and Moldova joined it. But the CIA toppled the pro-Russian rulers in both the nations (Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Voronin respectively). But scope for expansion is still on. Armenia and Georgia should be encouraged to join the union. Other potential candidates can include Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.
If Ukraine hadn't screwed up by getting cought up in the EU mess they would have been also part if this Economic Union.Yes, Yanukovich participated during the founding talks. There were plans for Ukraine taking an observer position to begin with.
5. Every single nation must be given its due importance, unlike the EU, where Germany and France dominate the policy making.
I noticed that during the meetings, Putin usually took a seat on one side, and many of the meeting were conducted in either Kazakhstan or Belarus. I think Putin is consciously trying not to elevate Russia's position in the union.
This union is only about trade and industrial cooperation, unlike EU, there there is an explicit and strong alignment of political agendas. If anything, it's EU in its current form that reminds me the most of USSR.
The Eurasian Union has a lot to learn from the European Union.
My suggestions are:
1. The Eurasian Union should never interfere in the sovereignty of its individual states.
2. Policies such as immigration and border control must be left to the individual states.
3. There should be no additional taxes.
4. Inter-state immigration must be limited, and should not cause popular resentment in the member states.
5. Every single nation must be given its due importance, unlike the EU, where Germany and France dominate the policy making.
It would have been much better had Ukraine and Moldova joined it. But the CIA toppled the pro-Russian rulers in both the nations (Viktor Yanukovych and Vladimir Voronin respectively). But scope for expansion is still on. Armenia and Georgia should be encouraged to join the union. Other potential candidates can include Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.
If Ukraine hadn't screwed up by getting cought up in the EU mess they would have been also part if this Economic Union. Jump to: