Eurasia in a changing world: we need bridges, not walls

In November, Samarkand for two days became a platform for a large-scale discussion about the future of Greater Eurasia. The 16th Verona Eurasian Economic Forum was held here. The event was organised by the Conoscere Eurasia non-profit Association (Italy) with the assistance of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan. Delegates and guests were invited to discuss new mechanisms for trade, investment and technological co-operation, prospects for the development of raw materials and energy markets, the restructuring of logistics and transport routes taking into account changing global realities, the role of Uzbekistan in the development of international economic relations, prospects for industrial and technological co-operation in the Greater Eurasia space, the development of the agricultural sector and ensuring global food security, the possibilities of ecological agriculture, as well as humanism and the value foundations of the future world.

Man as the main goal of the economy

The forum was held under the motto ‘Economy of Trust and Business Diplomacy from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific’. It promoted communication and contacts between representatives of business, financial institutions, political and public figures from 27 countries. During the panel sessions and discussions, a lot was said about the current problems and challenges of our time, as well as the fact that many states still use the policy of sanctions and restrictions to achieve their selfish goals. This affects not only individual countries, but also entire regions. 
The ideological inspirer and founder of the Verona Forum, President of the Conoscere Eurasia Association, Professor Antonio Fallico, noted that the topic of the current meeting — ‘Eurasia in a changing world: an agenda for co-operation’ — was not chosen by chance, “At the Forum in Samarkand, one of the main cities of the Eurasian macro-region, we will continue to promote the development of multilateral economic, social and cultural co-operation.  The professor recalled that last year the Verona Forum was hosted by Baku, Azerbaijan.
“Even then we were seriously alarmed, trying to understand where the world and the economy were heading. Today the situation has not become any clearer. We can say that only the predictability of unpredictability has increased. Whether we like it or not, we are in the midst of an epochal transition to a new global, economic and political governance: we are experiencing a confusing, contradictory and still long but inevitable transition to a pluralistic and multipolar world. In this regard, the business world must be aware of and be prepared not only for passive adaptation, but also for forecasting, and possibly for active participation in the development of the new economy during and after the maturation of this process,” the Italian expert emphasised.
Antonio Fallico again drew attention to the futility of sanctions, 

“Ultimately, it is easy to discover that these political decisions are dictated by the economic interests of the hegemonic countries, the protagonists of the world economy and politics, seeking to both weaken and humiliate the economies of geopolitical adversaries, and to suppress the commercial competition of their allies, subordinating their economies and national interests to their economic ones, and political interests. This is a destructive economic logic, often ideologically and politically justified by noble social and humanitarian reasons.

Despite this, entrepreneurs must respond to it with great human, professional and social responsibility. In a multipolar and globally interconnected economic world, the role of economic diplomacy becomes extremely important. It has the right and obligation to force the principles of solidarity, inclusive economic growth, based on the genuine interests of the human community, to prevail, breaking the chains of national egoism.”
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk noted that Europe and Russia have become even further apart over the past year, “Nevertheless, we are open to co-operation and hope that there is still some remnant of common sense in Europe... Under the conditions of sanctions, our economy has learned not just to survive — we have learned to develop. The truth is that sanctions have become a powerful impetus for the development of the Russian economy. Last year, at the beginning of the sanctions, we were predicted that the economic decline would exceed 20 percent. In fact, our economy quickly adapted, and the fall in GDP at the end of the year amounted to 2.1 percent. Over the nine months of this year, Russia’s GDP grew by 2.8 percent. The quality of this growth is important — not at the expense of energy resources or hydrocarbons.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised that Western sanctions should have stopped the Belarusian economy. But in 2023 it shows growth, 

“We are especially pleased, and we would like to point out, that the countries that maintain allied relations with Russia are growing along with us. In Belarus, also under sanctions, the economic decline last year (despite the fact that in ‘theory’ the economy there should have completely stopped) amounted to only 4.7 percent. And in 2023, their economy moved towards strong growth. 

Together with the EAEU countries, we fully ensure our food and energy security and stimulate the development of technology.”

Samarkand, the Registan Square

Europe must wake up

President of the Foundation for International Co-operation, head of the European Commission in 1999–2004, ex-Prime Minister of Italy Romano Prodi is convinced that Europe must realise that its potential must be used in the name of unification, and not disunity of peoples and countries.
Speaking at the online forum, a well-known expert said, “We had relationships and bridges with China and Russia, but that’s all in the past, now the situation has changed dramatically. When Europe was together with Russia and China, this was the formula for the future necessary for Europe itself... 

I mostly blame us Europeans for what is happening. The first thing we must do as Europe is to recognise what is happening. I hope we are still able to play an important role in the international arena... Europe was the first to think about developing rules common to the whole world, but it did not have the political will to do what it intended. Europe’s true potential must be unifying. This potential should not work for disunity.”

Russian senator, former permanent representative of Russia to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov also spoke about the harm to the whole world of the policy of dividing lines, “Along with the OSCE, a new phantom with old goals has emerged, called the European political community. This is essentially an attempt to build an alternative European security system to the OSCE, which will be similar in many ways, but, most importantly, there will not be two countries — Russia and Belarus. I think everyone understands what the chances are for this system to become universal.”
From this, according to the senator, follows a task for all those who are sincerely interested in international stability and promoting co-operation in Eurasia, “This task is not to passively observe the erosion of a single space. I think that the current Verona Forum will play a role in this matter... Our world is going through a stage of tectonic shifts. At the same time, there is concern from the awareness of the fragility of our world. Once upon a time, about 90 years ago, a thesis arose — the world is indivisible. I believe that the conclusion about the indivisibility of the world is even more relevant now, in the 21st century.”


Summing up the results of the 16th Verona Eurasian Economic Forum, President of the Conoscere Eurasia non-profit Association Antonio Fallico noted,
 “At this time in history, when many seem to be calling for a clash of civilisations, the Samarkand forum pointed to an alternative path, demonstrating the widespread need for pluralism of views and the desire for integration. In this search for new solutions and mechanisms, the business world offers a special diplomacy based on real economic and social needs. This path takes more into account the real needs of peoples striving to build rather than destroy, to find new solutions in a world undergoing profound changes.”

By Marta Astreiko
Photos by Marta Astreiko, Vladislav Sychevich, tourstouzbekistan.com