Turkey and the EAEU in Regional Transport Systems: Rivals or Partners?

Authors : Egor PAK

Pages : 135-153

View : 18 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2018-10-07

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The economic and political climate between  Russia and Turkey has become milder  recently, as ongoing global turbulence and  regional conflicts have forced the two states  to reach compromises. As a member of the  Eurasian Economic Union insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EAEU);,  Russia has to balance its national interests  with those of other EAEU members when  dealing with Turkey. The EAEU and  Turkey possess solid, albeit underutilized,  transit potential for East-West trade  as parties to the Transport Corridor  Europe-Caucasus-Asia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TRACECA);  and the Belt and Road Initiative insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BRI);.  Both corridors take the same route and  offer quicker delivery  dates compared to  seaborne options, although they face similar  constraints. However, TRACECA’s  economic feasibility is questionable, as  its politically-driven logic of bypassing  Russia turns Russia and Turkey into  rivals for transit flows. BRI, although yet to be clearly defined, appears more  infrastructure-oriented and focused on a  region-wide economic impetus, turning  Russia, other EAEU states and Turkey  into partners under the framework of  Greater Eurasia.
Keywords : Eurasian Economic Union, Turkey, Regional Transport and Logistics System, Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia, Belt and Road Initiative, Transport Corridors