As the European Union aims to strengthen political and economic ties with Central Asia, it expects the region to enhance the role of civil society. From the EU’s perspective, digital transformation, climate change, youth participation and women’s empowerment should be among the regional actors’ top priorities in their relations with the 27-nation bloc. But how realistic is that?
Brussels sees these issues as “critical” for shaping the region’s future. Over the past few years, trade relations between Central Asian nations and the EU have increased significantly, as the EU – aiming to reduce its energy dependence on Russia – turns its attention to the region’s critical minerals and other natural resources.
It is, therefore, no surprise that on November 2022, the European Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kazakhstan to establish strategic partnerships specifically focused on sustainable raw materials, batteries, and renewable hydrogen value chains. In April 2024, Brussels inked a similar deal with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
In parallel with that, the EU continued to hold summits with Central Asian states on the development of the civil sector in the region. From January 28-30, in Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty, the 5th EU–Central Asia Civil Society Forum is scheduled to take place. The event, according to the organizers, serves as an important consultative platform to collect feedback from civil society organizations and align future EU initiatives with the needs and priorities of civil society in Central Asia.
The bloc, therefore, likely seeks to balance its economic interests in Central Asia with its ambitions to promote what are widely regarded as European values to countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. However, since none of these nations are located on the European continent—except for Kazakhstan, which has a small portion of its territory west of the Ural River in easternmost Europe—nor do they aspire to join the EU, they are not obliged to blindly follow the EU’s regulations.
That, however, does not mean they are unwilling to exchange ideas and collaborate on advancing their relations with the European Union. Kazakhstan, for instance, aims to work with the EU on developing its civil sector, driving digital transformation, addressing climate change, enhancing youth participation, and promoting women’s empowerment.
“Kazakhstan views civil society as an essential partner in our development agenda,” said Roman Vassilenko, the Central Asian nation’s Deputy Foreign Minister, during the opening session of the 5th EU – Central Asia Civil Society Forum.
According to him, the event in Almaty provides a platform for constructive dialogue between civil society organisations and governments, helping to align their goals and work together toward a more prosperous and inclusive Central Asia.
“Kazakhstan’s support for initiatives like the EU – Central Asia Civil Society Forum demonstrates its role as a model for civil society engagement in the region,” Vassilenko stressed, pointing out that Astana reaffirms its commitment to working with civil society organisations to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.
Kazakhstan’s authorities, in other words, aim to assure their European partners that Astana is serious in its ambitions to strengthen fundamental human rights and freedoms. Indeed, on January 23, during the 48th session of the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic in Geneva, Kazakhstan’s delegation emphasised the significance of comprehensive reforms undertaken by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in promoting human rights and the rule of law, eliminating torture and ill-treatment, advocating for peaceful assembly and freedom of association, ensuring press freedom, and combating human trafficking and domestic violence. UN member states expressed their support for these reforms and welcomed Kazakhstan’s concrete actions to strengthen fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Previously, in 2020, Tokayev, through a decree, underscored the role of non-governmental organisations as strategic partners in the dialogue with government agencies. That is why civil society organisations in Kazakhstan actively push for partnership with the government, which perfectly fits with the EU’s regional agenda.
“The EU is committed to strengthening its relationship with Central Asia and supporting the invaluable work of civil society in fostering regional stability, social inclusion, and sustainable development,” Aleška Simkić, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan, said at the Almaty forum.
The European Union is widely perceived as one of the most active actors in raising human rights issues in Central Asia. The 27-nation bloc also advocates for the digital transformation of state services in the region. However, it is Brussels that can learn a great deal from Astana in terms of implementing a digital agenda. Kazakhstan is a highly digitalised society where digital transformation has already become a reality.
Thus, developing a deeper understanding of regional dynamics could be crucial for the EU in fostering more meaningful and productive partnerships with Central Asia. While the bloc remains committed to advocating for democratic values and human rights, if it aims to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, it will likely have to recognise the need for a pragmatic approach that respects the diverse political, economic, and social landscapes of the Central Asian nations.
