Russia is not a transit country between China and Europe at the moment because of the poor condition of Russian railways, because of the high tariffs and many other things. Russia is about to develop itself as a transit partner for the European and Asian market but not yet.

       Valdaiclub.com interview with Timofei Bordachev, Director, Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, Department of International Economics and International Politics, State University–Higher School of Economics; Research Director, Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.

       Is there any joint European strategy in the Asia-Pacific region? If so, what is this strategy?

       So far, the European Union, as an organization, has not been able to elaborate a joint strategy towards this region, first of all because the economic interests of the member states are very different. Some of them are very serious investors in Asia Pacific region, particularly in Asian countries like China, and have their individual bilateral relations with Asian countries. Others have not been so keen to engage yet and thus there is no strong possibility for the European Union to elaborate a common strategy, especially these days, when the EU is experiencing an economic crisis.

       Given the crisis and all the possible consequences the main way of attaching the European Union to the Asian economic locomotive is to borrow money from Asian countries. Unfortunately, the European Union is currently not in a position to offer anything substantial to Asian countries. Europe now is more in a position of arranging support from them, especially from China.

       Who has the best relations with Asian countries not as a part of the EU, but as a sovereign country?

       Germany is of course the first investor in Asian countries and has very extensive economic relations with them, and then the United Kingdom also has wide and deep connections with Asian countries. It partly stems from the history of their relations, and partly from today’s economic stance of the UK. France is in the third place, because it is also a serious investor and it sustains very interesting economic ties, particularly with China. We know that France was a very active arms trader with China for quite a long time, though not any more, and it is advocating Chinese interests in certain fields as well.

       Can Russia attach itself to relations between Europe and Asia Pacific?

       Russia needs to develop its own relations with Asian countries, not attaching itself to Europe, which is definitely a weaker partner than it could be. So, Russia doesn’t need to attach itself to a weaker partner because Russia is a stronger partner in this relationship.

       Can Russia play some role apart from being a transit country between the East and the West?

       Russia is not a transit country between China and Europe at the moment because of the poor condition of Russian railways, because of the high tariffs and many other things. Russia is about to develop itself as a transit partner for the European and Asian market but not yet.

       Though I do believe that Russia is about to play a role of a country that cooperates with both equally.

       If Russia cooperates with both equally, is it possible that in some distant future Russia will have to choose between Asia and the West?

       The choice might be only political. Russia is too big to make political choices between two external partners. Russia will never need to make such a choice and will manage to sustain a relationship with both, actually. I don’t think we can talk about possible geopolitical rivalry between Europe and Asia Pacific countries, particularly China, so Russia will not need to take any sides.

       Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.