The EU Needs a New Values-Based Realism for its Central Asia Strategy
The EU Needs a New Values-Based Realism for its Central Asia Strategy

Author(s): Neil Melvin
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Geopolitics
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: European Union; Central Asia Strategy; EU's diplomatic relations; democracy; government; security;
Summary/Abstract: Last summer, on the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, the European Council approved continuation of the Strategy’s implementation in its current form. The Council Conclusions on Central Asia highlight that the Strategy has ‘proven itself and remains valid’. In terms of achievements, the ministers point to the development of the EU’s diplomatic presence in the region since 2007 and the EU’s response to the 2010 crisis in Kyrgyzstan. They note that while all of the former goals of the Strategy remain pertinent – including human rights, rule of law, good governance and democracy, youth and education, economic development, trade and investment, energy and transport, environmental sustainability and water, combating common threats and challenges – the issue of Afghanistan has moved to the centre of the Strategy. The ministers also argue for clearer prioritisation in the Strategy and set out a long list of key priorities.

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