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Opción ISSN: 1012-1587 [email protected] Universidad del Zulia Venezuela Iskakova, Zhainara; Sarsembayev, Marat; Kakenova, Zarina Can Central Asia be integrated as ASEAN? Opción, vol. 34, no. 85, 2018, January-April, pp. 152-169 Universidad del Zulia Venezuela Available in: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=31055914007 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System Redalyc More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain and Journal's webpage in redalyc.org Portugal Project academic non-profit, developed under the open access initiative Opción, Año 33, No. 85 (2018): 152-169 ISSN 1012-1587 / ISSNe: 2477-9385 Can Central Asia be integrated as ASEAN? Zhainara Iskakova [email protected] Marat Sarsembayev [email protected] Academy of public administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, 010000 Astana city, 33 Abai St. Zarina Kakenova L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazakhstan, 010000 Astana city, 2 Satpayev Str. [email protected] Abstract This article examines the role of the one of the most influential contemporary regional political and economic organization of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an example for further integration of Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The role of security organizations in the context of integration also has been used. Based on the findings of this paper, Asian countries have sufficient resources and motivation to prepare for sustainable continental convergence by establishing a meaningful relationship between the experiences of different regionalism in Asia. Keywords: ASEAN, integration, Central Asia, regionalism Recibido: 10-01-2018 Aceptado: 09-03-2018 153 Zhainara Iskakova et al. Opción, Año 34, No. 85 (2018): 152-169 ¿Puede Asia Central ser integrada como ASEAN? Resumen Este artículo examina el papel de la más influyente organización política y económica regional contemporánea de la Asociación de Naciones del Sudeste Asiático (ASEAN por sus siglas en inglés) como un ejemplo para una mayor integración de los países de Asia Central: Kazajstán, Kirguistán, Tayikistán, Turkmenistán y Uzbekistán. También se ha utilizado el papel de las organizaciones de seguridad en el contexto de la integración. Con base en los hallazgos de este documento, los países asiáticos cuentan con suficientes recursos y motivación para prepararse para una convergencia continental sostenible, estableciendo una relación significativa entre las experiencias de diferente regionalismo en Asia. Palabras clave: ASEAN, integración, Asia Central, regionalism. 1. INTRODUCTION In 1993 the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed to call the region encompassing their individual nations “Central Asia”. However, this initial enthusiasm for regionalism soon dissipated as the five former Soviet republics grew gradually isolated from one another. Due to the region’s strategic position and abundance in natural resources such as natural gas and oil, several excessive powers have tried to promote regional organizations to foster cooperation between them and the region. As the Central Asian states ponder whether they should form their own regional grouping, ASEAN Can Central Asia be integrated as ASEAN? 154 could well be a model for them to seriously consider (LENT, 1958). The countries of the Central Asian Region (CAR) have a century-long history of coexistence, which is rooted in the distant past (OLCOTT, 1996). With the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991, the Central Asian states faced various challenges as economic, social, ecological and security issues. The signing in 1994 of the Treaty on the Creation of a common economic space between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan marked the beginning of the creation of an integration association in the Central Asian Rregion. On the other hand, these efforts on integration were not successful as CA republics due to various reasons became progressively separated from one another. (ROY, 2007) argues that indeed, the integration of Central Asia is necessary in the name of maintaining stability and peace in the region, ensuring national security, enhancing its role in resolving the problems in the world arena. The social stability of Central Asia is guaranteed by the cultural and political union of the Turkic, Iranian-Tajik and Slavic peoples, their ability to get along together, which has become part of the Eurasian culture. In addition, Uzbek researcher (SADRI, 1997) writes, "interests of many world and regional powers are crossed in Central Asia. Accordingly, Central Asia can play an active role in the global geopolitical restructuring that should occur in the 21st century". Economic integration as a form of government plays an important role in the world. This issue is also topical for the countries of Central Asia, for which ASEAN's regional integration can be considered as an example (BOBOKULOV, 2006, ROY, 2007). In general, ASEAN has demonstrated itself as a successful regional integration. Currently, regional integration is also necessary for the countries of Central Asia. The transition to the integration process in 155 Zhainara Iskakova et al. Opción, Año 34, No. 85 (2018): 152-169 Central Asia needs implying a gradual transition from simplified to more complicated relationships, while the interests of each member state needs to be taken into account. The economies of the Central Asian countries are joint users of energy, transport and irrigation networks, gas and water supply systems. Due to this, it will be expedient to form a single economic space with a single trade and customs zone, strategy and security. Countries in Central Asia have a multi-level economy. Integration will be the impetus for development both for developed countries and for less develop (KUSHKUMBAYEV, 2013). Given the existing positive aspects and problems of regional cooperation in Central Asia, it is necessary to develop a clear strategy for interstate interaction between the countries, taking into account current and future interests, both single integration and individually all participants. Hence, the aim of this research is to analyze in depth regional cooperation in Central Asia and to define the role of the ASEAN particularly ASEAN WAY as a vivid example of successful integration union in Asia. 2. METHODOLOGY The key component of the proposed research is a method of system analysis. International integration processes are complex phenomena which require detailed investigation of international relationships. Thus, it seems that to define the role and place of the Central Asia’s integration prospects using the example of ASEAN’s way within a method of system analysis is the most appropriate, which will allow detailed and intensive analysis of this issue. The chosen method will provide comprehensive Can Central Asia be integrated as ASEAN? 156 study of international relations and foreign policy of the states of Central Asia, revealing their interdependence with internal and external processes. Due to the nature of this paper, the best way to find answers to the research questions is to collect qualitative empirical data. As (HIRSJÄRVI, et al., 1997) mention, the basis for qualitative research is to gain holistic understanding about the phenomena. Also, the qualitative research emphasizes the research context, interpretation and understanding of the viewpoints of the participants of the study. One important source of information about the companies operating in ASEAN region was Finland- ASEAN Trade Association, which members are the companies and private persons who do business with ASEAN member countries. 3. WHAT IS ASEAN WAY? The ASEAN Way is the official anthem of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. In 1967 members of ASEAN came to a concept which is defined as ASEAN WAY and includes norms of “informality, non-interference, musyarawah (consultation) and muafakah (consensus- building)”. ACHARYA (2003)argues that there are three directives that ASEAN based on: closed door affairs, consensus decision making and non-interference in internal affairs. ASEAN WAY according to ACHARYA (2003) “a process of regional interactions and cooperation based on discreteness, informality, consensus building and non- confrontational bargaining styles”. Also (ACHARYA, 2003) states that ASEAN WAY consists of two norms: legal rational and social-cultural 157 Zhainara Iskakova et al. Opción, Año 34, No. 85 (2018): 152-169 norms, where legal norms means strict stickiness to the doctrine of non- interference. In terms of social norms it means special attitude to dispute solve processes and cooperation. According to (BRESNAN, 2002) the key factor that united ASEAN countries was a fear of communism due to political context of this organization when it emerged in 1960s. Second factor according to Bresnan that led to integration of the ASEAN was a will of political leaders. The most prominent heads of states like President Suharto of Indonesia, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Bresnan (BRESNAN, 2002) facilitated smooth integration processes that took place in 1980 in the South East Asia. Taking into account religious diversity in the region the leaders of states could unite Muslim Malaysia and Indonesia, Buddhist Thailand, Christian Philippines and secular Singapore. Also KHOO (2004) refers to the third factor that brought ASEAN together