Understanding the enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union: The case of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan

Rigina  Syssoyeva

doi:10.22151/politikon.40.3

Authors

Rigina Syssoyeva National Space Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22151/politikon.40.3

Keywords:

enlargement, Eurasian Economic Union, Integration theories, post-Soviet integration, regional integration

Abstract

The research note addresses the enlargement of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which Armenia and Kyrgyzstan joined shortly after its establishment in 2015. In theoretical terms, it aims to test Frank Schimmelfennig’s concepts on enlargement of integration communities. In practical terms, it seeks to answer why and how new members enter the EAEU. Qualitative research methods, such as historical, deductive and comparative analysis, to demonstrate that Schimmelfennig’s theoretical concepts can explain the process of enlargement of the EAEU.

Author Biography

Rigina Syssoyeva, National Space Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Rigina Syssoyeva, 30, from Astana (Kazakhstan), received her PhD in “International Studies” at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in 2015, after obtaining her BA and MA degrees in “International Relations” at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan), University of Lapland (Finland) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (South Korea). She currently works at the National Space Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Her research interests include regional integration, security and peace studies, international cooperation in the post-Soviet area, internal politics of members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and development of the Eurasian Economic Union. Dr. Syssoyeva was a member of the IAPSS Academic Committee/Academic Think Tank 2017/2018,