The European Union and Central Asia: Building an Energy Security Relationship
16-17 April, 2009, Prague, Czech Republic
The prospect of establishing cooperation between the EU and Central Asia on critical aspects of energy security within the region, including the development of hydropower as well as maintaining a balance between the EU’s desire to diversify energy supplies and its commitment to democratisation and human rights, were at the heart of a seminar on “The European Union and Central Asia: Building an Energy Security Relationship” on April 16-17th in Prague.
The event was jointly organised by the Institute of International Relations of the Czech Republic and EUCAM (CEPS/FRIDE) and was hosted by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which currently holds the Presidency of the EU. This event brought together European and Central Asian energy experts to exchange views on the feasibility of the EU’s objectives to gain a share in the Central Asian energy export market and to further support positive development of the region.
Some speakers expressed skepticism over the ability of the EU to become effectively engaged in the region’s energy policy. Thus, in the view of Václav Bartuška, Czech Special Envoy for Energy Affairs, the capacities and commitment of the EU to implement large-scale projects such as Nabucco and to sustain them, namely, to ensure security of the pipelines, are very limited. And when combined with the ambivalence within the EU both on a national and an institutional level regarding cooperation with Central Asia, these limitations make the EU a non-competitor compared to a more committed and effective Russia or China.
Other experts outlined further challenges to the EU’s commercial engagement involving technical and transit difficulties, as well as external political and security risks. Special emphasis was placed on Turkmenistan and its exploration of increased energy links with EU member states.
With respect to water-related problems in Central Asia, the debates highlighted that the EU should more closely and consistently analyse local complexities and focus its technical assistance on stimulating improvement in such related areas as food security and agricultural production. The EU could also play an important role in providing a platform for regional discussions and serving as a facilitator and investor rather than as a main driving actor in solving Central Asian water disputes.
Finally, there was a debate about the extent to which Europe’s energy interests support or conflict with the promotion of European values. Most participants felt that these issues needed to be separated in practice while they of course both remain part of the EU Strategy for the region.
