the chinese one belt one road (obor) initiative often referred to as the new silk road (nsr), seems to be the greatest endeavour of our times in terms of economy, politics and logistics. the study aimed to examine the potential of poland, belarus, lithuania, latvia, estonia and russia to participate in the nsr. the method applied was comparative analysis including both quantitative and qualitative studies. the juxtaposition of data from the intensity of global integration enabled assessment of the potential negative consequences of non-participation of the countries in the nsr. in turn, the analysis of specific indicators of trade integration, the intensity of global integration and the logistics performance of the researched part of europe has made it possible to answer the question about the most promising variants of the nsr.

The New Silk Road, or actually the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a Chinese concept aimed at facilitating international trade between China, Europe and Africa as well as building a new international economic order and security system. More than 60 countries belonging to various economic groupings with different levels of economic development and economic openness have been involved in the BRI. Many branches of the BRI run through the countries belonging to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This is mainly the Trans‑Siberian corridor, being the northern branch of the Route, which is being developed in the most dynamic way and is the most exploited among all railway connections between China and Europe. In theory, the EAEU and its customs union between Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia should allow the easy transit of goods between Europe and Asia. Transport infrastructure, much better than in the case of the other BRI railway branches, seems to be an additional advantage. Unfortunately, political and structural factors, as well as the embargo imposed by Russia on many goods originating in Western Europe, significantly limit the possibilities of using this transport route. The aim of the article is to examine the potential of the Eurasian Economic Union as part of the Belt and Road Initiative and assess the possibility of using the transport corridor running through the territory of the EAEU within the BRI. We will also identify the main determinants that will affect the development of transport and logistics corridors running through the EAEU in the future.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the potential of the Chinese initiative The New Silk Route (NSR) comprising two transport routes: railway and maritime, linking Europe and Asia. In the paper the NSR was analysed from the perspective of: potential benefits from countries’ participation in NSR and challenges that NSR will have to face to become a well performing transport corridor. The authors point out that the NSR is going to be a logistic corridor that is to influence transport and supply chains and determine the position of participating countries in international division of labour.

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Purpose: The research aims to analyze the EAEU's abilities to develop business connections as part of external-integration relations. It is to check whether or not free trade agreements and economic cooperation agreements translate into business and economic effects. As the EAEU has its ambition to become a bridge connecting Asia with Europe, the agreements concluded with third countries seem to be part of its strategy to achieve this goal. Due to the above, the research attempts to answer the question about key advantages enabling the creation of such a bridge. It takes into account a vantage the EAEU countries have resulting from their geographical location as well as evaluates skills and possibilities of developing logistics corridors in transcontinental relations, creating appropriate transport infrastructure, logistics centers and comprehensive development of logistics competences. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was carried out with a multi-criteria method using critical literature analysis, logical construct method as well as statistical research. Findings: The research identifies and assesses main business and logistics areas of the EAEU's impact on external-integration in Eurasia. Practical Implications: The areas studied in the article may constitute significant comaparative advantages of the EAEU and affect business relations in Eurasia. Originality/Value: The research concerns a new dimension of external integration of the EAEU. The researched agreements as well as their business and logistic effects can have significant consequences for the whole of Eurasia.