Integration Potential of the Big Eurasian Partnership in Terms of Global Transformation

Elena L. Andreeva, Petr V. Ilyasov

Institute of Economics, The Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Abstract

In terms of global economy transformation, characterized by global markets’ fragmentation, rising geoeconomic uncertainty, growing role of regional cooperation frameworks, interest increases in study of Eurasian integration processes, particularly of the Big Eurasian Partnership as hybrid format of interaction, extending beyond classical models of economic integration. Study’s aim is to identify factors and mechanisms shaping the integration potential of countries within Big Eurasian Partnership in transforming global economic relations. Central hypothesis posits that contemporary integration potential is determined more by level of countries’ logistical, technological, digital connectivity than by traditional trade indicators. Study’s methodology includes comparative analysis of foreign economic and infrastructure indicators, construction of original integration potential index, development of scenario-based modeling of foreign trade effects from implementation of concept of Common economic net as digital backbone of Big Eurasian Partnership. Empirical basis is formed for group of key Eurasian countries for 2000–2023. Study assesses scale of trade barriers and institutional gaps. For quantitative assessment, integration potential index for participating countries was developed and calculated, enabling the identification of four country groups: leaders, growth drivers, strategic core, risk zone. Results confirm the proposed hypothesis and demonstrate that logistical connectivity, technological readiness, diversification of foreign economic relations influence significantly integration potential, whereas role of tariff liberalization is of secondary importance. Findings contribute to theoretical understanding for regionalism of new types and specify concept of network-based integration. Study’s practical relevance lies in results’ applicability for shaping foreign economic and infrastructure policies of Russia and its partner countries from long-term perspective.

Keywords

Big Eurasian Partnership; integration potential; transforming global economic relations; common digital platform; common economic network.

JEL classification

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Acknowledgements

The study was conducted at the cost of the grant of the Russian Science Foundation Number 25-28-01505, https://rscf.ru/project/25-28-01505

About Authors

Elena Leonidovna Andreeva

Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Center of Regional Comparative Studies, Institute of Economics, The Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia (620014, Yekaterinburg, Moskovskaya street, 29); ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4975-0905 e-mail: andreeva.el@uiec.ru

Petr Vladimirovich Ilyasov

Candidate of Economic Sciences, Leading Economist, Center of Regional Comparative Studies, Institute of Economics, The Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia (620014, Yekaterinburg, Moskovskaya street, 29); ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5758-4527 e-mail: ilyasov.pv@uiec.ru

For citation

Andreeva, E.L., Ilyasov, P.V. (2026). Integration Potential of the Big Eurasian Partnership in Terms of Global Transformation. Journal of Applied Economic Research, Vol. 25, No. 2, 450-481. https://doi.org/10.15826/vestnik.2026.25.2.015

Article info

Received November 24, 2025; Revised January 26, 2026; Accepted February 24, 2026.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/vestnik.2026.25.2.015

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