The EU-Central Asia Strategy @ 4
On 9 June 2011, FRIDE in collaboration with CEPS and the Karelian Institute organised a debate in Brussels on the EU’s Central Asia Strategy. The aim was to assess the first four years of implementation, devoting special attention to security aspects and the promotion of human rights, democracy, rule of law and good governance. During the event, the organisers also introduced the new EU-Central Asia Monitoring (EUCAM) programme.
The seminar was divided into two sessions, each based on a new EUCAM policy brief. The first session analysed the document The EU-Central Asia Human Rights Dialogues: Making a Difference? by Vera Axyonova. The debate highlighted the importance of dialogue with Central Asian countries over human rights, while acknowledging the existing limitations. In this respect, speakers and other participants made suggestions on how to strengthen dialogue so as to improve the human rights situation in Central Asia.
The second session discussed the brief Is the EU-Central Asia Strategy running out of steam? by Jos Boonstra and Michael Denison. Here a heated debate unfolded. While some participants found the paper overly critical towards the EU, others considered it indicative of the main challenges the EU has to face in order to have an increased impact on the region.
The event was held at CEPS and was attended by over 50 policy-makers, experts and civil society representatives.
