Japanese-German Cooperation in and with Central Asia
- Building a New Silk Road and Possible Approaches -
Geopolitically significant and possessing considerable economic potential due, among other factors, to its rich energy resources, Central Asia is a crucial region in terms of global peace and stability. Since achieving independence from the former Soviet Union, the Central Asian nations have emphasized diversity and individuality in proceeding with programs of national development. At the same time, however, they face common problems, including limited water resources and other environmental issues, and political changes resulting from the democratization process. Efforts are therefore being made to establish new forms of regional cooperation.
The Third International Workshop on Japanese-German Cooperation in and with Central Asia, held in Tokyo, followed the previous workshops held in Berlin and Tashkent in providing a venue for discussion focused on these issues. Using the subtitle of "Building a New Silk Road" as a symbol of exchange between nations, workshop participants discussed the forms regional cooperation should take in the future in order to ensure peace, stability and development in Central Asia, as well as the roles to be played in this process by Japan, Germany and the international community as a whole. In addition to researchers from Japan, Germany and four Central Asian nations who specialize in these regional issues, Mr. Zayd Saidov, Minister of Industry of Tajikistan and Mr. Victor Kist, the Deputy of the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan Parliament, also took part in workshop discussions that featured vigorous and forthright debates.
The Third International Workshop opened with a keynote speech by Professor Hisao Komatsu of the University of Tokyo. After touching on both Japan and Germany's ties to the Silk Road, Professor Komatsu went on to point out that the societies of Central Asia have exhibited longevity and endurance in the face of a long history of significant changes. He also stressed the importance of looking beyond considering Central Asia as merely a zone of transit for interaction between the East and West, and the North and South, and recognizing it instead as a region in its own right, shaped by specific historical forces.
The issues and approaches discussed in workshop sessions are outlined below.
Economic Cooperation-Environmental Issues with a Special Focus on Water Resources
Roughly 80% of Central Asia is arid to some degree, and the region's current water resource-related problems are closely intertwined with the issue of sustainable land use management. The ability of land to retain water, for example, has deteriorated due to overgrazing, slash-and-burn farming and deforestation, practices which have continued since the Soviet Era. Further, contemporary problems associated with "desertification," such as insufficient water resources, a deterioration in soil quality, salinification and pollution, arise in part due to wasteful practices made necessary by a shortage of irrigation equipment and lack of knowledge of irrigation techniques, as well as agricultural policies based on the single-minded pursuit of development. These environmental issues do not only result in economic loss; they also cause significant harm to the health of local residents.
Moreover, as policies governing the allocation of resources and regional cooperation mechanisms put in place during the Soviet Era begin to break down, the region now requires new mechanisms to coordinate competing interests. There is a limit, however, to how much can be achieved by setting water prices according to market forces or managing land use by coordinating conflicting national interests. Given this situation, Central Asia requires a comprehensive sustainable development approach that is based on a recognition of the scarcity of water resources in the region and that eschews the single-minded pursuit of development of the Soviet Era.
Session participants offered concrete proposals addressing the subjects of water resources and land use management. Specific issues debated included the importance of changing the way users themselves think about these resources and the need for a comprehensive approach that emphasizes grassroots participation rooted in local communities, as well as ways in which these local practices may be incorporated into sustainable land management at the national level. Discussion highlighted the need for stable economic growth in order to resolve socioeconomic issues and the importance of economic cooperation in and with Central Asia to achieve this growth, in addition to the conflicting interests between the upstream nations, which are focused on energy and industrial development, and downstream nations, which are concerned about irrigation-based agriculture and serious environmental damage.
Prospects for Regional Cooperation, with a Special Focus on Regional Organizations
This session focused on the importance of regional cooperation in the political and security sectors in working to resolve trans-regional issues such as drug trafficking, the proliferation of weapons, terrorism and common border control policies for customs and immigration. Participants also noted, however, that there are fewer and fewer forums in which Central Asian nations can come together to discuss these issues amongst themselves, while at the same time there is considerable overlap and duplication in the roles played by regional organizations and frameworks.
The session addressed specifics regarding regional organizations that focus on security matters and the process of democratization. While, for instance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an association with significant potential in terms of its member countries and with regard to population, the organization has grown so large that it is in danger of losing its ability to function effectively. Some participants alluded to potential military alliances in light of the fact that both China and Russia are members, while others suggested that efforts should focus on making steady progress in coordinating border control procedures to counter terrorism.
Against a backdrop of emergent "democracy" movements, nations that deny citizens the right to protest against the government or are intolerant of opposition factions may actually invite instability. Some participants addressed the idea that further democratization is needed to ensure security, while participants from Central Asia indicated the unique conditions in each of the countries pursuing democratization. A lively debate on the topic of regional organizations emerged, with some participants expressing concern that the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have served to empower undemocratic governments and other participants advocating greater collaboration with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which follows its own principles in providing support for democratization. Promotion of Cultural and Personal Exchanges: Status and Issues The Silk Road symbolizes a history of active personal and cultural exchange. In the past, this route brought cultural wealth and material prosperity to many parts of Eurasia, including Japan and Germany. By promoting cultural and personal exchanges with other parts of Eurasia, the Silk Road serves a similar function today for Central Asian nations as they struggle with post-independent nation building and capacity building among their citizens. For these newly independent nations, however, the recently established borders have only served to hamper mutual exchange. Conflicts centering on border control policies are emerging as countries struggle with a lack of experience in balancing the protection of security in border regions with the smooth movement of people and goods across borders.
In light of this situation, session participants noted the importance of comprehensive policies to coordinate investment in trans-national infrastructure and improve border control procedures. The provision of specialized technologies for surveillance and the training required for border management was specifically cited as an issue that demands urgent attention. Regional cooperation also faces new difficulties as countries place a higher priority on post-independent nation building. The importance of promoting mutual understanding and regional cooperation among Central Asian nations and of providing the education and training to build the capacity among citizens that will lay the foundation for nation building were cited in this context. Concrete support measures, such as the implementation of programs that reinforce bilateral cooperation with a comprehensive perspective on the entire Central Asian region and desirable forms for cooperation among regional organizations, were also brought up for discussion.
Conclusion
The Third International Workshop sessions highlighted the fact that conflicts of national interest are emerging between the nations of Central Asia as the common culture they shared during the Soviet Era fades. Participants noted, however, that Central Asian nations recognize the importance of transcending national interests to promote further regional cooperation. They also cited the need for these nations to take the initiative in developing and promoting frameworks of regional cooperation that will form the cornerstone of future peace, stability and economic development in the region, as well as the importance of promoting increased dialogue among themselves and with countries outside the region in order to achieve this. The workshop ended with participants expressing the hope that Central Asian nations, Japan and Germany will continue to pursue open dialogue, provide further opportunities for "Central Asia + Japan" Dialogue, and take greater advantage of existing regional organizations.
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