Analysis Of The Eu’S Central Asia Policy: From A Project-Oriented Approach To A New Strategic Partnership

Analysis Of The Eu’S Central Asia Policy: From A Project-Oriented Approach To A New Strategic Partnership

The European Union provided technical assistance primarily to economic and commercial reforms, state-building processes, and encouragement of foreign investments in the period betvveen 1996 and 2001 although it expressed that democratization and liberal market economy vvere integral parts of its mutual relations. Hovvever, the EU radically changed its Central Asia strategy after September 11, 2001 attacks. In its nevv Central Asia Strategy adopted in 2006 and in its relations, the Union has given priority to the political issues and expressed that human rights, democratization, good governance, eradication of poverty and others are novv located at the center of the mutual relations. Yet, there are some serious handicaps, such as authoritarian mentality of the Central Asian states.