Vladimir Sedalishchev, expert at the Economic Policy Foundation, on the program “Mir Mnenie” on the MIR 24 TV channel commented on the significance of the second Central Asia-Russia summit, which took place in Dushanbe with the participation of the presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
The expert explained the advantages of the new dialogue format, noting that direct meetings between heads of state allow issues to be resolved much more quickly. “This is a more advanced format for discussing the integration agenda,” Vladimir Sedalishchev emphasized.
According to the expert, the issue of regional security, which was key at the previous summit, has now become even more relevant. The threats have changed: instability in Afghanistan, combined with the consequences of events in Syria, creates potential risks of the strengthening of militants and their possible expansion into the Central Asian region.
In the economic part of the summit, issues of trade, investment, and the search for new logistics chains came to the fore. “Central Asia is becoming an important transit hub,” the expert noted. Among the promising areas, Vladimir Sedalishchev highlighted energy, including nuclear power and the construction of hydroelectric power plants, as well as agreements on the digital economy and settlements in national currencies. To create a powerful logistics hub, which the expert called “the revival of the Great Silk Road,” serious investments in railways, logistics centers, and the creation of a coordinated customs policy are needed.
Summing up, Vladimir Sedalishchev assessed the importance of the integration dialogue. “There will be economic benefits for all parties,” he said.