EU and Central Asia

2019 ◽  
pp. 59-82
Author(s):  
Tuğba Aydın Azalov
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Energy Politics

Energy politics are one of the effective ways to interact with other states' political systems. When external relations are important for internal energy security, then energy politics are covered with other political strategies. As the case for European Union, energy strategies structures several sectors and one of them is energy supply security and promotion of sustainable use of energy worldwide. Thus, security of supply is an important part in EU energy politics based on competitiveness and sustainability. In the case of regional cooperation with Central Asia, EU is trying to be self-sufficient for its internal market to build its future safe in energy. Thus, security on energy supply becomes on the fore. So, EU, as a prominent actor in global political system, has growing interest on Central Asian states because of their high energy potential. But, regional cooperation and assistance in the region for energy politics are not enough, and EU needs to promote and take further steps toward democratization and development cooperation embedded in energy politics.

New European Union strategy for Central Asia

2020 ◽  
pp. 72-79
Author(s):  
S. Gavrilova
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Economic Cooperation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
High Importance ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
New Strategy ◽  
Central Asian Countries

For several decades, the European Union has been steadily increasing its presence in Central Asian countries. The EU's interests in the region are due to a number of reasons, including the desire to expand its influence in the Central Asian countries, the high importance of the region as a transit corridor between Europe and China, the prospects for economic cooperation, and the importance of the region's energy potential. In May 2019 The European Union has presented a new Strategy for Central Asia, designed to intensify cooperation in a number of areas of interaction. The new strategy is aimed at both implementing these interests and expanding cooperation in a number of other areas.

Central Asia's Role in China's Energy Security

2019 ◽  
pp. 167-191
Author(s):  
Paulo Afonso Brardo Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Energy Deficit ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Global Energy ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
One Belt One Road ◽  
Central Asian Countries

Central Asia has gained extraordinary importance in recent years in the framework of global energy security. China is the most significant example of a power that looks to its periphery as a viable option for energy supply. In Central Asia, Chinese companies are dynamic players having even broken the long Soviet and Russian monopoly over regional pipelines. This chapter examines the importance of the region within China's energy security, while not overlooking the potential contribution of the China-Pakistan economic corridor in the energy transit. In addition, Central Asia is likely to help China reduce the energy deficit in Xinjiang, through the import of hydroelectricity generated in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Although Central Asia's contribution to global energy security is low, it matters in a context of energy diversification, in which China's One Belt One Road brought a more promising dynamics to the cooperation between Beijing and Central Asian countries.

scholarly journals New Trends in Central Asian Connectivity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Indeo
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Belt And Road Initiative ◽  
Land Bridge ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
National Economies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Central Asian Republics

The main aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of the China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and of Uzbekistan's proactive regional policy to promote regional interconnectivity and to develop an “endogenous” cooperation mainly focused on the strategic interests of Central Asian countries. Within the BRI, Central Asia holds a strategic relevance, because this region is crossed by two of the six main BRI corridor projects – the China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor and the Eurasian land bridge – which will contribute to improve regional cooperation and connections among these countries. For Central Asian republics, BRI represents an attractive project benefiting of Chinese huge investments aimed to boost infrastructures and to develop national economies. Under Mirziyoyev's leadership, Uzbekistan has undertaken a proactive and constructive regional diplomacy in Central Asia, based on the improvement of relations and cooperation with other Central Asian republics, which has become a key priority of Tashkent's foreign policy.

UNDERSTANDING JAPANESE SOFT POWER POLICY AND ITS FEATURE IN CENTRAL ASIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 029-038
Author(s):  
Farrukh Usmonov ◽  
Fumiaki Inagaki
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Asian Region ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Border Conflicts ◽  
History Of ◽  
Central Asian Countries

The states of the Central Asian region obtained their independence in 1991 and have been undergoing a turbulent transition process, such as civil war, cross-border conflicts, revolution and socio-political reforms. Japan has been furthering its cooperation with the Central Asian countries since the day diplomatic relations were established. Despite only a 25-year history of cooperation, Japan has developed numerous and diverse patterns of involvement in the Central Asian region. There is a positive attitude towards Japan and Japanese people among the population of Central Asian countries. This work explores the features of Japanese soft power policy and its development in Central Asia. The core of the multilateral collaboration format in Japanese Central Asian Policy is “Central Asia + Japan,” which aims to promote inter-regional and intra-regional cooperation among the Central Asian states.

scholarly journals Converging party systems in Russia and Central Asia: A case of authoritarian norm diffusion?

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean P. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Party System ◽  
Party Systems ◽  
Party Politics ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Norm Diffusion ◽  
The Soviet Union ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Republics

Almost twenty five years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia and several Central Asian republics appear to be converging on what may be termed a ‘hierarchic party system’, characterised by controlled and unequal competition between parties. Addressing the juncture between international politics and party politics, this article explores this convergence and considers Russian authoritarian norm diffusion as a possible explanation. This article argues that although Russia continues to build significant party-based linkage in Central Asia, similarities between party systems are the result of complex, multidirectional norm diffusion, as regimes look to liberalise or close their respective political systems.

Proliferation Challenges in Central Asia and the Need for International Cooperation

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dauren Aben
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
International Cooperation ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Semipalatinsk Test Site ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Nuclear Security ◽  
Safety Systems ◽  
Illicit Trafficking

International cooperation on wmd nonproliferation in Central Asia must continue. In addition to unsolved problems related from the Soviet era, the region faces new challenges and threats, such as illicit trafficking in wmd materials, technologies, equipment, and delivery systems, as well as the threat of wmd terrorism. In addition, some Central Asian countries plan to develop their national nuclear industries. Future cooperation on wmd nonproliferation in Central Asia should focus on improving nuclear security and safety systems at nuclear facilities, continued engagement on the Semipalatinsk test site, countering radiological security and safety threats, enhancing export controls and border security, encouraging regional cooperation, strengthening cybersecurity, and promoting nuclear science cooperation and wmd nonproliferation education.

Dynamics of India–Central Asia Relations: An Appraisal of Historical Legacy with Special Reference to Overland Trade

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-222
Author(s):  
Darakhshan Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Special Reference ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Historical Study ◽  
Historical Legacy ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Building Process ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Soviet Central Asia

The article seeks to provide glimpses into the multidimension relations with special reference to trade relations that existed between India and Central Asia right from ancient times, which reached their climax during Mughal times. The article reveals that these relations continued unprecedented despite complex geophysical forces, namely formidable mountains, undulating deserts, unending plains together with the periodical political convulsions especially the triangular rivalry between the three mighty powers of the region, i.e., the Mughals of India, the Uzbeks of Central Asia and the Safavids of Persia. The study of contemporary sources reveals that each power tried at its best to encourage the trade by providing safety and security to the trading caravans carrying different mercantile. The brisk trade relations received a serious jolt when the two regions became part of colonial empires, i.e., the Britain and Russia. Though indirect political and cultural relations were restored by India with the former Soviet Central Asia, yet disintegration of the USSR and the subsequent emergence of independent Central Asian states, which, in search of new allies for the nation-building process, establishment of market economy and democratic set up, offered a golden opportunity to India, being an immediate neighbour in the region, for restoring and reviving its historical legacy. The historical study carried out in this article intends to provide insights into twenty-first-century Indian policy planers for establishing strong multidimensional relations for regional cooperation and sustainable development, apart from maintaining balance of political power.

scholarly journals Security threats and challenges in the post-soviet Central Asia: religion-based extremism on case study of ISIS

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Kukeyeva ◽  
Leila Delovarova ◽  
Tolganay Ormysheva ◽  
Yermek Chukubayev
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Economic Dimension ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Central Asian Countries ◽  
Soviet Central Asia ◽  
Governmental Cooperation ◽  
Role Of Religion

Nowadays the post-Soviet Central Asian countries face a broad range of security challenges and threats.  Some of them are systemic in nature, while others occur sporadically. Many challenges and threats are coming from the outside the region, but the countries’ internal situation and background including historical, economic, social and political aspects. The reaction in the countries on religious-based radicalism and movements like ISIS is an ambiguous.   The range and level of the threats and challenges depends on various reasons and different in all Central Asian countries. But the case of ISIS is very unprecedented and needs to be under the special analysis through the political and socio-economic dimension in all states. The different ways of development chosen by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and different background including borders, political systems, the role of religion and social stability defines the reflection to the threat in different way. Tajilistan and Uzbekistan are in high risk zone. The existing regional and extra regional organizations as CSTO and SCO are important in terms of security strengthening in Central Asia. Analyzing the general social, economic and religion climate picture in terms of absorbing or reflecting religious based extremism and ISIS the real power to stop it can be both effective inter-governmental cooperation and coordination with strong civil society support.   Keywords: security, Central Asia, extremism, ISIS;

China’s Belt and Road Projects in Central Asia

2021 ◽  
pp. 231971452110424
Author(s):  
Manish ◽  
Alok Behera
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Regional Markets ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Belt And Road ◽  
Trade Promotion

This article aims to understand the evolving nature of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Central Asia. It examines how the BRI gives China an access to the abundant energy resources in Central Asia, alongside the trade connectivity, industry, infrastructure development, and expanding regional markets and facilitating regional cooperation, etc. While doing so, the article examines 261 small-and large-scale Chinese infrastructure projects in five Central Asian republics. As we understand, China’s BRI investments focus on rail and road connectivity projects, energy connectivity projects, trade promotion and industrial development, and people-to-people projects. This gives greater influence to China in the Central Asian region, thereby leading to a competition among the major powers such as Russia, the USA and India.

PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 094-108
Author(s):  
Karlygash Mukhtarova ◽  
Klara Makasheva ◽  
Zere Kenzhebaeva ◽  
Mansiya Sadyrova
Keyword(s):  
Central Asia ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Cooperation ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Central Asian Countries

This research article examines the state and prospects of economic cooperation among the countries of Central Asia (CA). As history would have it, economic cooperation within the CA region was previously limited, and investments in Central Asia were mainly concentrated in the mining sector of the economy. Demographic and economic trends in the region have led to an expansion of the internal market; most Central Asian states have implemented wide-ranging reforms, which have improved the overall investment climate; and the CA states have stepped up the development of multilateral trade and economic relations, laying the groundwork for broader cooperation. The article also covers recent problems related to the economic situation in the region. For example, the current situation associated with COVID-19 has had an impact on economic relations between the CA countries. In the view of international experts, this crisis has not provided any new reasons for integration in the region. The quarantine measures taken in various Central Asian countries have had a negative effect on their foreign trade and thus on intra-regional trade and economic cooperation in general. The authors also examine other problems, such as those caused by the CA countries’ economic dependence on other countries, namely their dependence on imports from outside the region. These problems also affect the prospects of economic cooperation in Central Asia. All countries, including those rich in natural resources, want to produce and export finished goods with high value added. The production of high value added products and services enables a country to earn more revenue and reduce its dependence on primary commodity exports. The Central Asian countries are no exception. But for many reasons their finished products are often insufficiently competitive in countries outside the region. Despite the existence of economic problems connected with the need to improve the economic aspects of cooperation, there is a clear trend towards diversification of the economy of the CA countries caused by a desire to develop various specializations. These include agricultural processing, production of consumer goods for the population, development of the service sector, and other areas. Thus, the choice of a new model for the development of multilateral relations and the emerging trend towards economic growth in the region have made it possible to lay the foundation for long-term cooperation among the Central Asian states. Keywords: regional cooperation, Central Asia region, diversification of the economy, trade regimes, external economic policy, region, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan.

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