Upgrading ­EU-Central Asia Cooperation: How to Leverage Common ­Interests Amid Geopolitical Turmoil

Abstract

Russia's war on Ukraine has raised the interest of the EU and Central Asian (CA) states in greater cooperation. While Brussels needs alternative sources for energy supply and raw materials, CA countries want to diversify their economic and political relations. But ongoing structural differences in governance, rule of law and the role of civil society in CA limit progress in their relations. To support structural changes in CA countries and take relations to the next level, the EU needs to engage more with CA states at the highest level and build up leverage.