Del 0 - Contemporary Central Asia: Societies, Politics, and Cultures

European Union's Influence in Central Asia

Geopolitical Challenges and Responses

Inbunden, Engelska, 2018

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Unknown yet highly strategic, Central Asia attracts the interest of major global powers due to its vast energy resources and crucial geographic position. Russia, China, and the European Union view this region as an indispensable springboard to enhance their political and economic influence on the Eurasian landmass. Thus, facing strong competition and working on low budget, the EU is attempting to establish itself as a relevant and influential actor in an environment in which its leadership role is far from certain. Unlike in other post-communist regions, the EU is not able to rely on the attractiveness of its political models, and risks being marginalized by other global powers. The crucial question then is: How does the EU exert influence in such a challenging geopolitical context? Which strategies does the EU apply to be an actor who counts? Through an analysis of the EU’s discourse, instruments, and the reception of its policies in Central Asia, this study argues that the EU consciously takes the position of a second-tier actor who acts as a “consultant” and projects a picture of itself as an honest broker with no geopolitical agenda. The EU’s influence is confined to niche domains in the security sphere that are nevertheless important for the regional security. The EU is not a great power in the region nor is it willing to become one. It does, however, have comparative advantages in being perceived as inoffensive and for occupying areas that are neglected by the other actors, such as governance and water security.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2018-03-12
Mått159 x 240 x 26 mm
Vikt581 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieContemporary Central Asia: Societies, Politics, and Cultures
Antal sidor270
FörlagBloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN9781498542234

Tillhör följande kategorier

Internationella relationer inom Samhälle och politik

Part I: The European Union as a Global Actor: Conceptual FrameworkChapter 1: Analyzing the EU as a Foreign Actor: The Three Levels of EU's InfluencePart II: The European Union in Central Asia Chapter 2: The Context: Geostrategic Stakes in an Unstable Environment on European DoorstepsChapter 3: The Emergence of the EU's Policy toward Central Asia: The "Far Neighborhood" Approach Chapter 4: Analyzing the EU’s Strategy for Central Asia: Discourse, Instruments, and Reception Chapter 5: The Broader Geopolitical Context of EU Policy in Central Asia: Competition for Influence and Influence Parallelism Part III: Case Studies: The EU as a “Consultant” in Central Asia's Security SphereChapter 6: Border Insecurity in Central Asia and the EU's ResponseChapter 7: Governance Crises in Central Asia and the EU's Response Chapter 8: Water Conflict in Central Asia and the EU's Response

Olga Alinda Spaiser has provided a valuable addition to the scarce academic literature on EU–Central Asia relations. The European Union's Influence in Central Asia offers a rich overview of Central Asia as a ‘Far Neighbourhood’ of Europe where relations were intensified since 2007 via an EU strategy for the region. Spaiser critically assesses the European Union as a normative actor and realistically analyzes Europe’s interests in a region where Brussels is a ‘second-tier’ actor after Beijing and Moscow, but is valued as a partner by Central Asian regimes. This study is an important read for scholars and policymakers focusing on EU foreign and security policy, as well as Central Asia watchers.