Die EU-Zentralasienstrategie 2019 – mehr Handlungsrahmen als strategisches Dokument

Abstract

In May 2019, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted a new Central Asia Strategy. Drivers behind the strategic renewal were transformations in Central Asia, the new geopolitical context, lessons from the implementation of the previous strategy, and the new EU Global Strategy of 2016. With regard to these developments, a number of expectations towards the new strategy derived. Based on an outline of recent developments, the article identifies current challenges and expectations and assesses whether the new strategy lives up to them. It concludes that the 2019 strategy is rather a framework for action than a strategic document. However, its major assets are “flexibility” with regard to future trends and “inclusiveness” in terms of stakeholders’ ownership for the EU’s Central Asia policy. To sustain this ownership, the Central Asia policy needs sufficient funding under the next multiannual financial framework. During programming, the EU has to define clear priorities for bilateral and regional measures. To generate synergies, the EU institutions and member states have to agree on an internal division of labor. Finally, the EU has to put “principled pragmatism” into practice by finding a balance between the promotion of values and interests.