The EU's Central Asia policy and its implications for China

Abstract

"The EU under the German Presidency published its first strategy paper on Central Asia in June 2007. The document addresses a wide array of issues ranging from democracy and human rights to trade, energy cooperation, migration and inter-cultural dialogue. While Central Asia has been largely overlooked by the EU in the past, the new policy signals that the EU is no longer content to be left behind while other global powers become increasingly involved in the region. The EU will undoubtedly be a more visible presence in Central Asia in the coming years, but the question remains what kind of role the EU will play and the impact it will have on regional affairs. This paper analyzes the real motivations behind the new strategy, the role of Germany in its creation, the priorities it sets forth, as well as the characteristics and future challenges of the policy. Finally, the implications of the policy for China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are discussed. The analysis is based on the research of scholars from various countries and interviews conducted by the author in Germany and Brussels." (author's abstract)