This paper depicts the dynamics of the EU-Turkey relations beginning from the signing of the association agreement, i.e. the Ankara contract, to date. In addition, it aims to specify the factors preventing the bilateral collaboration and achievement of EU membership as aspired to by Ankara. The paper focuses on both the internal and international problems arising on Turkey's path to EU membership, namely, the westernisation trend originating from Kemal Ataturk times, recent developments in Turkey, the democratisation of political institutions, the rule of law and protection of human rights, regional security, Turkey's part in the refugee crisis, visafree travel, Greek-Turkey relationships, Ankara's stance towards Cyprus, the Kurdish problem, and the Turkey-US and Turkey-Russia relationships. The authors discuss the EU Member States' attitude towards the political and socio-economic developments in Turkey and the way Ankara looks at the requirements put forward by those Member States. We suggest several methods of rapprochement and brighter bilateral prospects.
The study looks at the trade quantification, and documents single stages of the Russian-Chinese trade exchange in Kyakhta and May-ma-chen between 1727 and 1861. It is divided into three sections. The first one deals with an appraisal of available volume indicators that relates to the exchange trading. Based on findings and confronting other analysed spheres, the author defines the basic stages of the trade development in the monitored period. What he demonstrates is that the trade was greatly affected by political and geographical factors, and the fact that both countries did not attach equal importance to it. The trade in Kyakhta had never reached extent it could have had, but fell into rapid decline as soon as an alternative, cheaper way to trade exchange between Russia and China had appeared. Yet it influenced the town and the whole region development, including culture and education spheres; in the second quarter of the 19th century it substantially contributed to Siberian economics, and in the early stage also to Russia industrialisation as it allowed Russia in economics terms to penetrate to the Far East. The final part deals with the global factors resulting in the decline, and the end of Russian-Chinese trade in Kyakhta, or replacement by other forms of trade exchange.
The article describes the organization and practice of the Russian‑Chinese trade exchange in Kyakhta and May‑ma‑chen in 1727–1861, state regimentation of the trade in Russia and China, the commodity structure of the Russian and Chinese export. Some fundamental problems of logistics that considerably impacted the character of the trade in Kyakhta are described, too. The Russian‑Chinese trade in Kyakhta was profitable for both sides. It yielded important goods for both sides and especially for Russia, which would have not been possible to get otherwise. The core of Russian export was created by hides, furs, pelts and from 1820s also woollen and cotton fabrics, the Chinese export consisted especially in tea, silk and cotton fabrics and rhubarb. Bilateral trade, however, hinted at a number of obstacles. It was considerable geographic distance to cover for both sides and especially on the Russian side, insufficient transport infrastructure. Another set of problems consisted in ineffective state regulation of all sorts on both sides. While bureaucratic restrictions on the Russian side was partially removed in the 1760s, when the trade was overtaken by the private capital, on the Chinese side ideologically conditioned regulation would be still carried over. The Chinese government was primarily concentrated on its military‑strategic targets in Amur Region, which was the trade in Kyakhta subjected to. It used the trade regulation as a tool to press the Russian authorities in other questions. Therefore the trade in Kyakhta had never reached the extent that could have had, and fell into rapid decline as soon as another alternative and cheaper way to the trade exchange between Russia and China appeared.
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