The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), established in 2015, marked a new stage of integration and cooperation between the post-Soviet States. Despite the continuing economic and political struggle, Kazakhstan which is considered one of the founding and the most enthusiastic members of the union, is still committed to the initiative. The research explores pro-Eurasian/anti-Eurasian narratives among the country’s population. Concerns over national sovereignty, national identity, territorial integrity, and the controversial economic benefits of the union dominate the popular discussions. The trajectories of these discourses are also manifested vis-à-vis regional differences and along ethnic lines.
Gabit Gabdullin is a PfD candidate at the University of Glagow. The topic of the PhD dissertation concerns the assessment of the public opinion toward the Eurasian Economic Union in Kazakhstan. This spring he is working as an INREES visiting fellow at the Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki.
Discussant: Anna-Liisa Heusala, University of Helsinki
Chair: Kaarina Aitamurto, University of Helsinki