Description
Book SynopsisUnknown 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 conscio
Trade ReviewOlga 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. -- Jos Boonstra, Centre for European Security Studies
Composed of five independent countries that emerged as a new geopolitical space after the fall of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has been studied in its various transformations. In the sphere of international politics and geopolitics, this interest in Central Asia has often been limited to the strategies of main actors—Russia, China, and to a lesser extent, the United States. However, there is another actor that has been relatively active and influential in Central Asia, with a very specific approach that has been neglected in its contribution to the transformation of Central Asia—the European Union. Olga Alinda Spaiser’s book is a valuable contribution that fills the void. Thanks to this new and original study based on extensive fieldwork in Central Asia and Europe, we have an excellent analysis of the relations and interactions between the European Union and Central Asia and the region’s place in global politics. -- Bayram Balci, Sciences Po
Table of ContentsPart I: The European Union as a Global Actor: Conceptual Framework Chapter 1: Analyzing the EU as a Foreign Actor: The Three Levels of EU's Influence Part II: The European Union in Central Asia Chapter 2: The Context: Geostrategic Stakes in an Unstable Environment on European Doorsteps Chapter 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 Sphere Chapter 6: Border Insecurity in Central Asia and the EU's Response Chapter 7: Governance Crises in Central Asia and the EU's Response Chapter 8: Water Conflict in Central Asia and the EU's Response
