The impact of the eurasian economic union and china’s belt and road initiative on two regions (central asia and the caucasus)

Abstract

This thesis compares the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to analyze how they shape economic and institutional development in Central Asia and the Caucasus. It finds that the EAEU promotes rule-based integration through tariff liberalization, regulatory harmonization, and labor mobility, while the BRI advances connectivity via infrastructure projects, loans, and soft power. Together, these frameworks can complement each other—EAEU stability supporting BRI projects—if countries coordinate regulations and manage debt prudently. However, weak governance, fiscal stress, and technical incompatibilities often create frictions that limit benefits. The study concludes that successful synergy requires transparent financing, administrative interoperability, and strong domestic institutions to turn overlapping influences into sustainable regional growth.