The Greater Eurasian partnership in the system of regional integration processes
The article discusses the evolution of the Greater Eurasian partnership, analyses geopolitical reasons for the initiation of the project and characterizes the GEP's integration with the whole system of international relations. Prerequisites for integration processes evolved in the beginning of 2010-th, when the countries faced the serious foreign policy challenges related to the growth of economic and political rivalry in Eurasia. The intension of Moscow to maintain and enforce its influence in the region has become the geopolitical motive of the GEP's introduction. The idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership reflects perceptions of Russian political leadership of the future regional order. The GEP is promoted as an initiative oriented to maintain political stability, to provide security and to create conditions for trade-economic development and cooperation in the investment and finance areas. Regional integration in Eurasia is being developed predominantly by two main players, Russia and China, via mechanisms of Eurasian Economic Union and China's Silk Road Economic Belt initiative, with idea that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization may also be used as one of probable platforms for integration. The process of legal substantiation of the GEP is carried out by Russia with the support of the Chinese side during the exchange of high-level visits, when relevant statements are included in joint declarations of the parties. Besides, that both sides have created an efficient mechanism of regular interaction on different levels: from meetings of state leaders to the contacts of heads of departments in different ministries and agencies. Russia and China are conscious of risks of their geopolitical rivalry. In order to overcome them, both countries are diligently trying to avoid unnecessary competition and consistently demonstrate it the joint statements. Moscow and Beijing focus mutual efforts on building such frameworks of cooperation which can allow them to conjugate their flagship initiatives in Eurasia. The readiness of Russia and China to coordinate the integration process in Eurasia is determined by the fact that single-handed efforts of any country would not be enough to implement the full range integration potential of the region. The author comes to the conclusion that strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing is the key factor for successful development of Russia's and China's integration initiatives in Eurasia.