Azerbaijan, Baku, November 21/ Trend , corr V. Zhavoronkova/ In spite of public opinion, Uzbekistan's withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) does not mean an attempt to move closer to the United States and move away from Russia, traditional partner, as it is favorable for small countries to maintain good relations with both Moscow and Washington.
"CIS member states do not choose between Russia and the United States as small countries can not be center of force on their own, therefore they should have to do with both sides," Russian expert on international relations Sergey Markedonov said to Trend .
Russian media quoted Russian Foreign Ministry as saying that Uzbekistan has handed in an application to withdraw from the Eurasian Economic Community. The reason behind this move by Uzbekistan is not known. The country officials attribute it to the poor efficiency of EurAsEC. The decision of Uzbek government came several days after the European Union canceled sanctions towards this country which were imposed in wake of Andijan events in 2005, Kommersant newspaper reported. The sanctions included embargo on supply of arms to Uzbekistan and ban on granting visas to 12 Uzbek officials.
Many view Uzbekistan's withdrawal from EurAsEC as Tashkent's "inclination" towards West though experts say that Uzbekistan will not totally give up cooperation with Russia.
Withdrawal from EurAsEC does not mean severing ties with CIS, Uzbek political scientist Sergey Yezhkov said. This organization does not suit Uzbekistan as "it makes little sense, put it mildly, it does not make any sense at all," he said.
"Therefore it is wrong to draw analogies and argue that Uzbekistan's withdrawal from the Organization means its moving closer to the West," Yezhkov said to Trend by telephone.
Uzbekistan sees a number of challenges that affect its vital interests. Therefore, integration with Western countries is not likely, said American expert on Eurasian security Gregory Gleason. One of these problems is the risk that risk that entering into a no-customs restrictions zone in Eurasia will flood Uzbekistan with foreign-made goods while Uzbekistan's state-subsidized production will be carried off for the benefit of foreign consumers at below market rates, said Gleason, research fellow of Eurasian Center for Security named after George C. Marshall.
"Any CIS member state including Uzbekistan act under the principle of national egoism. If it favorable they will cooperate with Russia, if it is favorable, they will cooperate with US," said Markedonov, head of Department for Problems of International Relations of Political and Military Analysis Institute.
He said it can irritate Russia. Moscow would not like Uzbekistan's withdrawal done for show. But there is no real choice between US and Russia.
Gleason said Uzbekistan is less likely to realigned itself with any other country, there is quite a lot of Uzbek history which makes it apparent that Uzbekistan will enter into foreign partnerships and coalitions on the basis of what serves its interests.
Uzbekistan's withdrawal from EurAsEC does not mean similar policy towards such organizations as CIS and CSTO, where Uzbekistan has membership.
It does not mean that Uzbekistan does not see any sense in being member of CIS and CSTO, Yezhkov said. "For example, CIS guarantees cooperation among former Soviet republics in economic and political aspects. As consultation among partners is necessary, I do not think Uzbekistan plans to withdraw from CIS," Uzbek political expert said.
Uzbekistan's withdrawal from EurAsEC will have only emotional impact on relations with CSTO and CIS, but no one will "make a noise" about it publicly, " Markedonov said.
The Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) is international economic organization focusing on common foreign customs borders in member states, working out single foreign economic policy, tariffs, prices and other components of a common market.
Uzbekistan handed in application to EurAsEC membership in October 2005 and became full-right member of the Organization after the signing of protocol upon completion of technical procedures on January 25, 2006.
The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]