This "mistake" was redressed in Berlin on June 30, 2007, where the EU presented its common strategy on Central Asian countries. The strategy evoked a positive response in the region. Like the previous European strategies on Russia, Ukraine and the Mediterranean, this is a framework document covering the spheres of potential cooperation based on universal standards and values.
The emergence of the new EU strategy has compelled many world media and Western experts to pay more attention to the ongoing political processes in the region. Those who have undertaken to analyze the document, its implementation, expected results and consequences, insist that the EU has at long last embarked on real policy and is even ready to seize the initiative from its rivals - Russia, China, India and Iran - in the struggle for the spheres of influence in Central Asia. But they have omitted some rather important questions, such as the EU's chances of success.
Let's mention from the start that the new EU concept is rather symbolic and general - it omits instruments of implementation. As the Europeans admit themselves, the former EU policy in Central Asia has suffered a failure. The EU has invested almost a million euros in the region to no avail. While pursuing its own goals, the EU ignored the interests of the region itself and the mentality of its nations. It viewed all Central Asian countries as an integral whole, without taking into account their national differences. It is enough to mention the TACIS (Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States) program, which exhausted its resources before being completed.
Now the EU has elaborated a very ambitious strategy but its implementation gives rise to some doubts. First, the EU is not a key player in the region; second, it will have to start everything from scratch. The EU intends to spend 750 million euros on relations with the region - this sum will not take it too far. Furthermore, interest in Central Asia varies from one EU member to another.
The expanded EU has lost its common configuration and become too heterogeneous. Germany and some East European nations have made more progress in Central Asia than others, and are trying to develop partnerships there. Earlier France was quite interested as well, but after Sarkozy's election its position on Uzbekistan leaves no hope for further progress.
Importantly, the new EU strategy has outlined, for the first time, political directives for much bigger commitments. In this way, Brussels has admitted Central Asia's growing strategic importance. The EU and Central Asian nations will conduct regular political dialogue. The first talks took place in Astana last March. The European Commission will open offices in five countries. The authors of the strategy want to achieve a balance between bilateral and regional relations, considering different needs and positions of each country.
Currently, the geopolitical situation in Central Asia is complicated. The West has started losing confidence in the region, whereas such rising Asian powers as India and China have been increasingly trying to consolidate their foothold there. Russia, China and the West are simultaneously trying to find guaranteed allies in the region. For instance, the recently stepped up cooperation between Uzbekistan on the one hand and China and India on the other is compelling the West to seek ways of rapprochement with the former.
Europe and the United States realize that they are losing the big game for Central Asia to India, Russia and China, and are looking for approaches at expert level. Fanning up the region's energy, water and migration problems, some of these "experts" are openly trying to nip in the bud the SCO's (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) rising regional cooperation. They are engaged in propaganda to thwart integration and upset Central Asian identity and geopolitical structure.
But if the EU and Western countries as a whole are interested in real cooperation in Central Asia, they will have to consider the existing alliances, respect the sovereignty of every country and avoid interference in its domestic affairs. Otherwise, Central Asian nations may lose any confidence in the sincerity of the offer of equitable cooperation.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
