The Russian-led Customs Union has introduced new rules on slaughtering livestock. A massive rise in meat prices is forecast; and the end of small-scale farming.
Georgia has signed an association agreement with the EU. But there is a long road ahead toward establishing transparent and accountable government.
Uzbekistan is wary of plans for the economic integration of Eurasia, but why?
The recent history of Ukraine is a clear example of how not to manage a country’s economy.
In the 19th century it was Britain and Russia that played the ‘Great Game’ for influence in Central Asia. Throughout the 21st century the ‘game’ has continued, but the players have changed.
The Russian government is running a scheme to encourage former Soviet citizens now living in other countries to resettle in Russia. But for many, its limitations outweigh its apparent incentives.
The Russian economy is perhaps already in recession, certainly in decline. This could be contagious because a slowdown in Russia will also slow down its neighbours.
Events in Ukraine have both highlighted and influenced Abkhazia’s political divisions, as yesterday’s protests clearly demonstrate.
The collapse of the USSR was the occasion for much rejoicing. But 25 years later, there is not much to cheer about.
The first ‘.ru’ domain was registered twenty years ago. Russia’s internet (or RuNet) used to be one of the least regulated online spaces in the world, but it has come under increasingly heavy government scrutiny.
Kazakh banking is in a state of disarray, as banks assimilate the consequences of a recent 20% devaluation of the tenge. But there is also consolidation taking place, adding to the flux; and those bad loans…
Early last year Armenia entered into accession talks with the Russian-led Customs Union – a precursor to the EEU. But does this path hold the key to greater economic prosperity for Yerevan or is it just a dead end?
