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TheCentral Asian Union (CAU), later called theCentral Asian Economic Union (CAEU),[1] was an intergovernmental organization foreconomic integration between theCentral Asianpost-Soviet republics ofKazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan andUzbekistan between 1994[2] and 2004.[1]Tajikistan joined the Union in 1996 as anobserver.[2] Several proposals to restore the Union have been put forward since its dissolution.
The concept of a Central Asian union emerged soon after thedissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Although all states acceded to the newly formedCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS), it was felt that more regional cooperation was needed.[2] In early 1992,Tajikistan plunged into theTajikistani Civil War (1992–1997) between government forces and various Islamist rebel factions supported by theTaliban; thus they could not participate in the integration process. Turkmenistan preferred to maintain neutrality, and decided not to partake in CIS or Central Asian integration.
The remaining three republics Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed a treaty on 23 September 1993 to create an economic union, which was followed by a proclamation of a "single economic space" on 10 February 1994, and the establishment of an Interstate Council with an Executive Committee on 8 July 1994. In theory, any CIS member state could join the Central Asian Union.[3]
The Union was also given a military dimension. Still in civil war, Tajikistan joined the CAU as an observer in 1996.[2] A Council of Defence Ministers was formed, and, under the aegis of theUnited Nations, a peacekeeping force was formed, which held its first training exercises on the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in September 1997.[3]
A new Central Asian Union was proposed byKazakhstan PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev on April 26, 2007, in order to create an economic and political union similar to that of theEU encompassing the five formerSoviet Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,Turkmenistan andUzbekistan.
So far the presidents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have signed an agreement to create an "International Supreme Council" between the two states. In addition, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have signed aTreaty of Eternal Friendship. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have also decided to set up afree trade zone.[4]
Although the proposed new union had the support of the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan by 2008, it was outright rejected by former Uzbek presidentIslam Karimov.[5] After Karimov died in 2016, however, the idea of integration was brought back on the table.
On 15 March 2018, a new Central Asian Summit was held inAstana between Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev (host), Uzbek PresidentShavkat Mirziyoyev (initiator), Kyrgyz PresidentSooronbai Jeenbekov, Tajik PresidentEmomali Rahmon, andTurkmen parliamentspeakerAkja Nurberdiýewa. The Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev hosted the summit at theAqorda Presidential Palace. It was the first summit of Central Asian leaders in nearly a decade.[6] They resolved to henceforth convene every year in March before theNowruz (New Year) holiday.[7]
A second summit was held on 29 November 2019 inAstana.
| Country | Population | Area (km2) | GDP (nominal) | GDP per capita (nominal) | GDP (PPP) | GDP per capita (PPP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kazakhstan | 20,000,000 (62nd) | 2,724,900 (9th) | $259.292 billion (53rd) | $12,968 (69th) | $654.050 billion (41st) | $32,712 (57th) |
 Kyrgyzstan | 7,037,590 (112th) | 199,951 (85th) | $12.681 billion (151st) | $1,829 (166th) | $44.623 billion (134th) | $6,438 (148th) |
 Uzbekistan | 36,024,000 (40th) | 448,978 (56th) | $90.392 billion (75th) | $2,509 (147th) | $371.646 billion (58th) | $10,316 (124th) |
 Tajikistan | 9,750,065 (94th) | 142,326 (94th) | $11.816 billion (151st) | $1,180 (167th) | $53.679 billion (119th) | $5,360 (148th) |
 Turkmenistan | 7,057,841 | 491,210 (52nd) | $81.822 billion | $12,934 | $126.132 billion (93rd) | $19,938 (80th) |
| Total | 79,869,496 (20th) | 4,007,275 (7th) | $456.003 billion (33rd) | $5,709.4 (106th) | $1,250.13 (30th) | $15,652 (100th) |
Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia:
The proposed Union would primarily deal with interstate border issues, trade, visa regimes, tourism and security. If realized, the CAU would represent a counterbalance to the existing Russian-dominatedCollective Security Organization and the Chinese-Russian-ledShanghai Cooperation Organisation.[12] In his proposal, the Kazakh President said:
"In the region, we share economic interest, cultural heritage, language, religion, and environmental challenges, and face common external threats. The founding fathers of theEuropean Union could only wish they had so much in common. We should direct our efforts towards closer economic integration, a common market and a single currency."[13]