New EU Strategy for Central Asia: First reactions
New EU Strategy for Central Asia: First reactions

Author(s): Jos Boonstra, Fabienne Bossuyt, Nargis Kassenova, Marlène Laruelle, Tika Tsertsvadze
Subject(s): Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Civil Society, Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Politics and law, Sociology of Politics, Geopolitics
Published by: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies
Keywords: European Union; Central Asia; Strategy for Central Asia; strengthening cooperation; promoting human rights; civil society organisations;
Summary/Abstract: I always have a ‘to-do list’ at work. And, alike most people, before I complete one task, I already have a few others to add. So in order to prioritise, my list is actually three lists: one with bullet points with what needs to be done this week (make phone calls, answer emails); one with those items that have a deadline down the road (project report, call for proposals); and a sort of wish-list with those things I would like to do when and if time allows (develop a new idea). The new EU strategy for Central Asia, adopted by the EU Council on 17 June, reads a bit like this. It includes things that the EU will do (‘the EU will strengthen cooperation on vocational education and training’); things to continue to address over the coming years (‘the EU will continue to promote respect for human rights’); and matters to devote attention to in due course (‘the EU will aim to encourage more sustainable and inclusive growth models in the region’). In sum, rather than a strategy, it is an approach or more simply, a ‘to-do list’.

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