New EU Strategy for Central Asia: First reactions
Editorial
Enough to do for the EU in Central Asia
I always have a ‘to-do list’ at work. And, like most people, before I complete one task, I already have a...
Reconsidering EU Education Assistance to Central Asia
Central Asia’s educational systems have been deteriorating for almost three decades. Education is a key EU-driven area of EU-Central Asia cooperation. However, the EU’s focus on promoting large-scale systemic...
Study visit to The Hague
On 2 May, EUCAM fellows visited The Hague and had an opportunity to talk with representatives from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of the OSCE...
A new EU-Central Asia Strategy: Deepening relationships and generating long-lasting impact
Introduction
Over the past decade, the European Union (EU) has become an active actor in Central Asia. It has expanded its diplomatic presence, established co-operation mechanisms and increased its development...
How ‘central’ is Central Asia in the EU-Asia connectivity strategy?
Editorial
A confusing strategy
At the end of 2018, the European Union (EU) presented its Europe-Asia connectivity strategy (CS). The CS applies to transport, energy, and digital networks, and includes a...
Going Tajikistan: Mind your step
‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes’, Marcel Proust
Tajikistan has the potential to become the next popular destination on the...
SMEs as the backbone of the economy: a daunting development challenge for Tajikistan
Economic relations between the European Union (EU) and Tajikistan are limited. The trade balance between the two parties over the past few years has been negative. While the EU...
The European market remains a dream for Kyrgyz exporters
In 2016, the European Union (EU) granted Kyrgyzstan Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status. The new status meant reduced or zero tariffs for Kyrgyz exports to European markets...
Uzbekistan opening up
Optimism and doubt…
Uzbekistan has begun to take steps towards openness and economic and political reform. Since the death of President Islam Karimov in September 2016 and the parliamentary appointment...
Civil society in Uzbekistan: Building from the ground up
Uzbekistan is changing. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has initiated a series of economic and governance reforms, and the country’s new direction has opened up space for civil society to develop,...