This book addresses the current state of economic and political development within Central Asia and the importance of European countries and organizations as international actors and supranational organizations for the Central Asian Region (CAR). It aims to provide a better understanding of Central Asia’s multi-faceted relations in rapidly evolving geostrategic dynamics and serves as a timely insight into the contours of Central Asian states’ policies, emerging trends, and significant features of these interactions. The aim is to analyze the main challenges for future between the Europe and Central Asia relations, to make recommendations for improvement, and to identify lines for future research on this matter. It highlights key aspects of current discourses in CAR vis-à-vis the role of European countries and China and other key players. It explores post-Soviet scenarios, considering recent drastic changes in the equation of international relations in general and, more particularly the role of Russia and China vis-à-vis Europe in the CARs. This book covers the different perspectives on the EU’s new strategy (2019), which will contribute to strengthening relations between the two growing regions. It will be beneficial for academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
Author(s): Kashif Hasan Khan, Anja Mihr
Series: Europe-Asia Connectivity
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 277
City: London
Preface
Contents
Editors and Contributors
About the Editors
Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction: Background to the Book
Part I Contextual Overview of European Policies Towards Central Asia
2 Assessing Europe: Central Asia Connectivity Through Linkage and Leverage
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 The European Union and Central Asia: Weak Leverage and Paternalistic Linkages
4 The Economy and Security Linkage
5 Central Asian Perceptions of Europe
6 Conclusions
References
3 The Policies of the European Union and Russia vis-à-vis Central Asia
1 Introduction
2 The Post-Cold War and New Millennium
3 ‘Stronger Partnership’ Between Europe and Central Asia
4 Direct Neighbours: European Union–Russia–Central Asia
4.1 Education
5 Europe’s Human Rights and Democratization Efforts
6 The Downward Spiral: Terrorism and Trafficking
7 Green Economy, Climate Change and Water Management
8 Connectivity Strategies: Russia -Central Asia
9 Conclusion
References
4 The 2019 European Union Strategy on Central Asia: Future Challenges
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 European Investments in Central Asia
4 The 2019 EU Strategy on Central Asia: Key Points
4.1 Internal Challenges from the Part of the EU
4.2 Internal Challenges from the Part of Central Asia
5 The Role of China, Russia and Afghanistan
6 Conclusions
References
5 The European Union’s Sustainability Standardisation of World Trade: A Challenge for Central Asia?
1 Introduction
2 EU, Trade and Sustainable Development
3 Generalised Scheme of Preferences
4 Voluntary Sustainability Standards
5 The Relevance for Central Asia
6 Sustainability at Stake
6.1 Access to EU Markets
6.2 Accessing GVCs
6.3 Increase in Economic Complexity.
6.4 Increasing Investment Attractiveness
6.5 Contributing to the SDGs
6.6 Other Positive Spillovers
7 Implications for European-Central Asia Policies
8 Conclusion
References
6 Development of Central Asia and European Union’s Assistance Programme
1 Introduction
2 The Strategy Papers
3 The EU-Central Asia Programme from 2007 to 2013
4 The Strategic and Logistical Challenges Between 2014 and 2020
5 The European Approach for 2027
6 Conclusion
References
Part II Central Asia’s Connectivity: Human Rights, Rule of Law and Good Governance
7 Human Rights in Central Asian States and European Initiatives
1 Introduction
2 The 2018 Samarkand Declaration
3 International Engagement and Collaboration
4 European Human Rights Approach to Central Asia
5 Kyrgyzstan
6 Uzbekistan
7 Tajikistan
8 Turkmenistan
9 Kazakhstan
10 Conclusion
References
8 European-Central Asian International Election Observation Cooperation and Contestation
1 Introduction
2 ODIHR IEOMs: Explanations of the Types of ODIHR Election Missions
3 Why Election Observation Matters
4 IEOMs and State Behaviour
4.1 Alternative Post-Soviet State Behaviours in Cooperating with ODIHR
4.2 Proactive Post-Soviet Resistance to ODIHR
4.3 Who Invites Alternative IEOMs
5 ODIHR’s Calibrated Responses on IEOMs and the Significance for Central Asian State Behaviour
6 Conclusion
References
9 Implementing Good Governance in the Framework of Europe’s New Strategy for Central Asia: Lessons from the Baltics
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination
4 Long- and Medium-Term Strategic Planning Documents in Central Asia
5 Setting and Implementation of Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination Framework
6 Conclusion
References
Part III Old Games in New Frameworks: Regional and Geopolitical Perspectives
10 Great Game vs Small Game: Europe, India and Japan in Central Asia
1 Introduction
1.1 Connectivity Bottlenecks in Central Asia
2 Central Asia and the Big Three—The US, Russia and China
2.1 New Silk Road
2.2 Eurasian Economic Union
2.3 Belt and Road Initiative
2.4 Policies of the EU, India and Japan Towards Central Asia
3 Potential for EU, India and Japan Cooperation in Central Asia
4 Conclusion
References
11 Regional Connectivity and the China Factor
1 Introduction
2 Priorities and Challenges for Regional Connectivity in Central Asia
3 Central Asian States’ Cooperation and Integration with Europe
4 The Implications for Europe
5 Conclusion
References
12 EU-Central Asian Cooperation on Border Management, Migration and Mobility
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Identifying Challenges Through Impact Factors
4 Using Opportunities and Managing Risks
4.1 Policy Line 1/Baseline—Maintaining Status-Quo
4.2 Policy Line 2—Reassessing Coordination Modalities
4.3 Policy Line 3—Investing More in Human Potential
5 Conclusion
References
