Commonwealth of Independent States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Commonwealth of Independent States - Essay ExampleThe initial goals of CIS creation were as follows. First, it was made to initiate a close stinting cooperation between members through establishing a so-called common economic space. Second, coordination of policies between allied states with mutual respect for interests was proposed. The triplet main objective of CIS was to create a unified military-strategic space under a joint command. Thus, the CIS was devised as a regional union, based on the notion of a state, complete with a centralized economy and cross-border ties at the macro and micro levels.Newly acquired independence meant little for post-soviet countries, as their economies were interdependent. In particular, membership in CIS meant the delay of verve crisis for every former Soviet republic. Despite the potential benefits CIS members could gain every of them understood the price they had to pay for using Russias abundant energy resources. The Soviet experience constan tly reminds the new elites of the CIS that Russia could effectively usurp their independence in any supranational body in which it is the only major top executive center. (Aslund et al 1999, p.19). Indeed, it was never a secret that Russia uses CIS to influence the policies of regions, which were subjects of domestic policy just a few years ago.To put it simply, every CIS member save Russia faced a dichotomy on the one hand they had to secure their newly proclaimed sovereignty, on the other - they were unable to survive without external economic help. Although allies behaved differently from each other in this complex situation, they can be divided into three general groups.The first group, which may be called highly pro-Western, refused from as much cooperation with Russia as possible. Three Baltic regions, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania refused to enter CIS and decided to seek help from other neighbours. Politically, Lithuania is headed towards Poland, and Estonia along with Lat via favour toward Finland and Scandinavian region. The main spring for turning back on Russia was the fact that since their forced incorporation into the Soviet Union theyve never acknowledged the legality of that claim. Still, even politically independent, Baltic States outride under Russian economic influence, as it remains their main trading partner.The second group, the most numerous one, tries to balance between Western help and adherence with Russia. Since Russia perceives CIS as a tool to hinder if not stall the movement of NATO towards East, these members of CIS try to gain as much use as possible from this confrontation. For instance, in spite of membership in the Council of Europe and some if not frequent calls for economic help from United States (e.g. during electoral campaign of Viktor Yuschenko), Ukraine has clearly stated its view to Russia as the most important strategic partner, according to words of Leonid Kuchma. Other countries that can be referred to this gr oup are Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and