‍Central Asia and The Caucasus Journal

Abstract In today's world, economic sanctions are one of the main foreign policy tools of Western countries to exert pressure on target countries in order to change their political and economic behavior. In addition to having direct effects on the economy and domestic politics of the countries under sanctions, these sanctions cause changes in international relations and strengthen regional cooperation. The main question of this article is to what extent have Western sanctions played a role in strengthening the position of BRICS and the Eurasian Economic Union between 2012 and 2024? The main hypothesis of the article is that these sanctions have led to changes in the trade and economic patterns of these organizations and have accelerated economic processes independent of the West. In this study, using a comparative analysis method based on documentary sources and historical data, the development and strengthening process of these organizations in the face of Western sanctions has been examined. The results show that Western sanctions, especially after political and economic crises in the member states of these organizations, have acted as a factor in increasing economic, trade, and political cooperation among BRICS and Eurasian Economic Union members. Ultimately, this study concludes that Western sanctions can play a positive role in strengthening non-Western organizations, but there are several challenges in the field of internal integration and resource management that require further attention.

Abstract Established in 1997, GUAM regional organization consisted of republics including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldavia mainly was aimed to undermine Russia dominance through regional cooperation and convergence as well as making bonds with organizations such as NATO and the EU. To consolidate its activities and accomplish specific objective, the organization faced difficulties and impediments. Induced by a variety of factors including inconsistencies within the organization and among the members as well as external geopolitical reasons, these hindrances spoiled the perspective of successful, efficient cooperation including the process of expanding the relations with the EU. Similarly, from the EU viewpoint the obstacles have made GUAM a less interesting potential partner, while this contradiction is considered to be a “big problem.” Although there was much hope for GUAM to become a key player in the region after being acknowledged as an official organization in 2006, in the recent years no significant progress and improvement in the organization have been cited. In fact, EU regional initiatives are still considered as the mutual complementary cooperation between EU and the regional countries. Despite other regional organizations, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is not given much significance in the EU regional strategy.