On a positive note...
On a positive note...

Author(s): Jos Boonstra, Peter Burian, Nargis Kassenova, Shairbek Juraev, Alisher Ilkhamov
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Social development, Sociology of Politics, Geopolitics
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: Central Asia; European and Central Asian cooperation; European Union; Kazakhstan; Uzbekistan; foreign policy; international relations;
Summary/Abstract: Central Asia receives rather limited attention when compared to other parts of the world, and when it does, it is often not good news: authoritarian regimes, human rights offenses, radical Islam, and poverty. Indeed, the region does face a series of security, economic, environmental, and humanitarian challenges. The implication of Kyrgyz and Uzbek citizens in the recent St. Petersburg and Stockholm terrorist attacks has further deteriorated the region’s image within European circles as a far-away, dark, and underdeveloped place that exports radicalism. However, this is a misconception. In Central Asia, moderate Islam is the rule and radicalism the rare exception. Beyond a hospitable population and stunning landscapes, in Central Asia two opportunities stand out.

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