Ten Tasks for the New EU Special Representative to Central Asia
Ten Tasks for the New EU Special Representative to Central Asia

Author(s): Jos Boonstra, Vera Axyonova, Michael Denison, Jacqueline Hale, Marlène Laruelle, Erica Marat, Sébastien Peyrouse, Tika Tsertsvadze
Subject(s): Economic policy, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Economic development, Geopolitics
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: European Union; Central Asia; EU special representative; energy; security; OSCE; NATO; regime; government;
Summary/Abstract: The EU has a new Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia. It was announced on 18 June that Patricia Flor from Germany would on 1 July replace Ambassador Pierre Morel, who has been EUSR for Central Asia since 2006. Ambassador Morel has been the face of Europe in Central Asia. His work involved promoting EU energy and security interests in the region, as well as establishing close ties with leaders in Central Asia and liaising with China, Russia and the United States. He coordinated policies with the OSCE and NATO, actively engaged with expert communities in Europe and Central Asia and travelled extensively throughout the region. The EUSR’s role in Central Asia is substantial, especially in view of the fact that there are few European national embassies in the region. The challenge for the new EUSR is one of balancing priorities. She will need to maintain contacts with the region’s authoritarian governments while at the same time engaging fully with civil society.

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