Islamic News

Andrei Baklanov: In the coming months, we can create new mechanisms of interaction with the countries of the East – Analysis – News

Recently, the visit of the parliamentary delegation of Russia to the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). As the IslamNews Deputy Head of International Relations of the Federation Council, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Association of Russian diplomats Andrei Baklanov, the contacts to discuss the development of strategic cooperation of SCO member countries in addressing the pressing socio-economic problems.

– Andrew Glebovich, you recently returned from a trip to several Asian, including Muslim countries. As far as we know, during this visit, which was widely commented in the countries of the SCO have been discussed, in particular, the prospects for transition to new forms of financial and economic cooperation. What was it?

– Wherever I have recently visited, the priority theme of the internal and external economic debate is to overcome the negative consequences of world crisis. In China, earlier than ever so desperately not raised the issue of finding a mechanism to protect the national economy from fluctuations in the foreign trade environment. Kazakhstan has developed perhaps the most detailed and thought out and comprehensive program of concrete measures for ending the crisis. The crisis led to the revitalization of creative thought, it gives rise to the nomination of intelligent ideas and promote talent.

From the discussions, including informal, analysis of the extensive materials published in the media analysts, it is possible conclude that today is the simultaneous search for a new trade-economic, organizational and financial tools at three levels – national, regional and global. Relatively more rapidly improving performance in the first and third lines (national and global level). With regard to the establishment of new regional arrangements, they are “drawn” is frankly weak. Unfortunately, this also applies to the space of the Arab-Islamic world, the countries of the SCO, CIS. I think that this “fault” should be very soon over. Here it is necessary to do three steps.

The first step – the development of principles and financial, including Monetary, trade, economic regulation in the current environment, as well as measures to protect the space of a region of negative external influences.

Second – creation, perhaps initially on a temporary basis, mechanisms of implementation in practice of this kind of interaction.

The third – the adoption of legislation establishing a new state of affairs.

In the interests of Russia – bring to a coordinated and synchronized to finding solutions to this kind of country the Arab-Islamic world, the SCO states in Africa, primarily supplying the strategically important resources necessary for the functioning of industry.

– What is attributable to the attention of the Russian side to attract the Islamic world and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries to deal with this kind of problems?

– The majority of these countries there is a convergence of interests in the situation. All we need stability, ability to influence the rules of the game in the world and regional markets for goods, for which our countries are “professional”.

highlighted two aspects – “redirect” investment , a qualitatively new scale of investment “feed” each other, as well as meaningful participation in the creation of a new currency “pool” of States. In other words, we need to build more production facilities within our countries and to be sure that our foreign exchange reserves are well protected.

– The problems in question can be solve cosmetic measures, or if you want to revolution?

– A systemic crisis demands radical solutions. The current crisis brewing, brewing a long time. It now goes to the merits of forming a new “economic geography” of the world.

– With regard to the current legislative framework: to what extent it meets the needs of the new architecture, of which you speak?

– The legislative framework should be changed only if there is clarity from the relevant experts in the field of economics, finance, etc. Prior to that, say, directly, still far away. You can not make experiments with the law, to see “whether or not it will turn out.” Obviously, today we are dissatisfied about the functioning of the international financial system, which signals it sends to our economy. There is an understanding of what needs to be changed. But a desire to correct the short. It should be a clear vision of how to overcome the crisis, you want details of the tools out of the current situation.

– What would you suggest?

– my contacts, including ambassadors and other representatives of Arab and Islamic States, specialists from member countries of SCO, the study of literature led me to believe in regard to the feasibility of establishing as soon as possible number of public bodies.

first. Felt the need to have in Moscow – the largest center of science, production, finance, the city, where a large number of outstanding professionals, a kind of intellectual club – the Russian-Arab socio-political forum, which in the future could become specialists, academics, journalists, public and religious figures of other countries. At one time, in 1999 we were close to the establishment of such a body – then the “association” has been around the House of Friendship with the Peoples of Foreign Countries. Even managed to hold, at the highest level, a foreign “round” of discussions – in Cairo with representatives of the Russian Federation and the 20 Arab countries. However, to consolidate the success then it was not possible. Prevented, in particular, the restructuring of state and public structures in the Russian Federation. Let’s hope that the new attempt would lead to more stable results.

Second. Requires the establishment of an investment of broad geographical “set of” states – from Central Asia to the Arabian Peninsula and the Arab Maghreb. Prospective investors, including from oil-producing states, could be interested in the possibility of production, “solid” investment in the economies of those nations. Russia could act as a coordinator.

third. Promising to be the establishment of the Eastern University in Moscow as a joint educational and scientific product of Russia, the SCO countries, Arab and Islamic states. Such a center could play a vital role not only in the intellectual rapprochement of our peoples, but also in accelerating the integration process in the huge space occupied by our States.

Interviewed by Anwar Sharipov