EU’s Central Asia Initiative

 

The Ukraine conflict and the EU's Central Asia Initiative have undoubtedly presented Europe and the world with greater geopolitical and economic challenges. However, it has also provided a few opportunities along the way that, if dealt with in the right way, can significantly contribute to the development of regional and global unity.

Russia stopped supplying Europe with its energy as soon as the war started, which was very bad for the economies of the region. The European Union and other stakeholders were compelled to investigate alternative energy sources as a result. They found the closest, most cost-effective, and safest solution to their problems in the Caspian oil reserves. The conflict simultaneously increased traffic pressure along the Northern Corridor from Europe to China via Russian Siberia.

As a result, Europe rethought its strategy to investigate some of the region's shortest, easiest, and safest transportation routes in addition to energy. Opportunities for intra-regional interactions had already been created by the post-Soviet openness of the Central Asian and South Caucasian regions. In addition to promoting the urgent causes of climate change, the Central Asian republics offered Europe opportunities to utilize its technological advancement for the digitalization of local societies and economies and a vast unexplored region in its backyard.

The cash-strapped nations of Central Asia have also been looking for investments from abroad. They see strengthening transportation as enhancing economic relations, liberalization, and reform. Their natural course is toward the economically and technologically advanced Europe, which is in its immediate vicinity and is equally interested in reciprocal cooperation, in order to achieve those goals.

The ancient Silk Road, which had been used for centuries by the world for trade and transit between China and Europe, already represented precedence.

The EU's Global Gateway Strategy, which was launched in 2021 to strengthen global health, education, and research systems and promote smart, clean, and secure connections in the energy, transportation, and digital sectors, naturally incorporated all of these goals. In one of his most recent articles, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, made the observation that "accelerating the green transition and shaping the digital economy are at the heart of EU’s policy agenda and foreign policy." Before looking into a different mode of transportation that could provide the fastest, safest, and cheapest access to Central Asia as a whole, none of this was possible.

The ancient Silk Road, which had been used for centuries by the world for trade and transit between China and Europe, already represented precedence.

As a result, China, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan are all part of the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian Route. Not only was this rail-road project found to be the shortest and most transportable route for many countries in Asia and Europe, but it also promised to connect the vast steppes of Central Asia and the South Caucus to Europe to the west, China to the east, South Asia to the southeast, and the Middle East to the southwest.

The cooperative relationships the European Union had with the countries in the region had already created favorable conditions for this kind of integration. The EU has been Central Asia's top donor since 2014. It has given the Central Asian republics 1.1 billion euros, or $1.14 billion, in aid up until 2020. It has also approved a grant of 390 million euros for bilateral and regional programs that will run from 2021 to 2024.

Additionally, the largest investor in Central Asia is the European Union. More than any other industry, European firms have invested in the region. The leadership of the EU intends to promote a new green economy in Central Asia by utilizing the private sector's investment power. The purpose of President Charles Michael of the European Council's recent trip to the region was to give these initiatives additional momentum.

The "EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference" took place in November. In order to carry these ideals forward, "Global Gateway" was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The conference's immediate goals were to assist in overcoming climate change and the digitalization of Central Asian economies and societies. The objective was to highlight reforms for closer connections and identify investment opportunities.

Vladimir Norov, the Uzbek Foreign Affairs Minister, suggested in his address that the Samarkand Conference be made "a regular feature to create coordinated strategies to enhance cooperation between the EU and Central Asia."

He suggested that the two sides meet to discuss tariffs, the creation of an integrated digital network along the Trans-Caspian Route, and customs practices.

Additionally, Norov argued that cooperative investment initiatives were required for the creation of data infrastructure. He said that the Central Asia Tourism Forum will be held in Uzbekistan next year.

In addition to advancing research on climate change, electricity, and water resources, the EU side proposed new initiatives to enhance digital connectivity in Central Asia.

The fact that the United States and China are equally interested in the EU's Central Asia Initiative is the most promising aspect of it. This project could result in a win-win situation for nations across Eurasia, as the Central Asian republics are already looking for connections with Pakistan and the Indian Ocean states.

However, for such projects of regional cohesion and integration to proceed, peace and stability in the region—especially in Afghanistan—are likely to remain essential. Within a global system based on international law, sound rules, and global standards, the European Union is developing "Open Strategic Autonomy," which upholds freedom to make our own strategic choices, avoids excessive dependence, and provides alternatives. Naturally, Josep Borrell stated, "We understand the desire of our partners to likewise build their autonomy and freedom of choice." This is in line with the emerging requirements of convergences in the global geo-economic cohesion.

.