Politics
ASHGABAT, ASIA, BEIJING, BELGIUM, BILATERAL TRADE, BRUSSELS, CASPIAN, CASPIAN MIDDLE CORRIDOR, CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA, COOPERATION, ENERGY COOPERATION, EU, EUROPE, EUROPE/ASIA, EUROPEAN, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, EUROPEAN UNION, GEOPOLITICS, JOZEF SÍKELA, JOZEF SIKELA, KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, MEXICO, MOSCOW, NORTH AMERICA, RUSSIA, SC, SI, SOVIET UNION, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, TAJIKISTAN, TRADE, TRANS - CASPIAN MIDDLE CORRIDOR, TURKMENISTAN, UKRAINE, UNITED STATES, UZBEKISTAN
Omar El-Sharif
The EU’s Geopolitical Strategy in Central Asia: Competing with China
The European Union is striving to enhance its influence in Central Asia amid competition from China and Russia. China’s dominant trade partnerships and energy connections position it as a major player, while the EU aims to strengthen ties through strategic discussions and upcoming summits. The outcome of these engagements will determine the EU’s effectiveness in the region.
The European Union (EU) is actively seeking to enhance its global influence, particularly in Central Asia, where it faces competition from both Russia and the United States amidst the complexities of the Ukraine situation. This 27-nation bloc is perceived as a balancing partner by regional actors who wish to diversify their relationships beyond China. However, the question arises: can the EU offer anything that China cannot provide?
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Central Asia has largely remained under Moscow’s influence. Nonetheless, China has emerged as the dominant economic force in the region, surpassing Russia in trade importance. In 2024, China’s trade turnover with Central Asia reached a remarkable US$94.8 billion, establishing itself as Kazakhstan’s primary trade partner and maintaining significant trading relationships with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
In the energy sector, China has asserted its position as the foremost trading partner of resource-rich Turkmenistan, which is also seeking to cater to the European gas market. Notably, Jozef Síkela, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, began his Central Asia visit in Turkmenistan, focusing on significant topics such as the Global Gateway investment strategy and the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, potentially aligning strategically with the EU’s broader goals. The trip likely serves as preparation for the upcoming EU-Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan, slated for April 3 and 4.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts, the EU aims to consolidate its political and economic engagement with Central Asia. The major interest lies in fostering sustainable partnerships amid competition from China, which has already established a stronghold in the region. Thus, understanding the motivations and strategies of the EU is essential as it attempts to redefine its role within Central Asia.
In summary, the European Union’s pursuit of a more substantial presence in Central Asia is motivated by the need to counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence while fostering beneficial economic partnerships. China’s overwhelming superiority in trade ties and energy provisioning creates challenges for the EU, which must effectively articulate its offerings for a compelling engagement strategy. As the upcoming EU-Central Asia summit approaches, the EU’s initiatives and policies will be crucial in determining its future role in this strategically significant region.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
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