EU POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA: A VORTEX OF BALANCES OR A TIGHTROPE WALKER ON THE ROPE

Аннотация

This article is devoted to the relations between the European Union and the Central Asian republics. It discusses a number of internal and external factors that may affect the development of bilateral and multilateral relations. These factors force the European Union to pursue a balanced policy in the region. The success of the Union's policy in Central Asia depends on the stable maintenance of this balance. In this sense, the author likens the European Union to a tightrope walker performing a grand spectacle. KEYWORDS: European Union, Central Asia, strategy, region, cooperation, partnership, distribution of powers, balance, approach, mutual interest. INTRODUCTION at a height of several tens of meters and perform various exercises has been making The art of tightrope walking, well-known also people's hearts flutter for several centuries. as a funambulism, occupies a special spot in The skill of the tightrope walker who walks “on the historical traditions of both Eastern and a tightrope like a sword's edge” lies in the Western nations. Especially, in the Middle ability to use the anchor in his hand correctly Ages and even until recent times, national and and to keep his balance. If he can’t keep his local celebrations did not pass without balance, he is sure to fall down. demonstrating various games on the ropes. A tightrope walker who can walk on a thin rope “EU POLICY IN CENTRAL ASIA: A VORTEX OF BALANCES OR A TIGHTROPE WALKER ON THE ROPE” P age 39 | 5 The European Union, which is increasingly Secondly, based on the principle of reciprocity, active in world politics, can be compared to the European Union has to balance its that tightrope walker. The Union should keep interests with the regional interests of Central a balanced foreign policy in international Asia within the framework of interregional arena. Otherwise, the Union cannot achieve partnership relations. Because partnership any success in external policy. The Union's relations develop and strengthen only on the policy in Central Asia is no exception. basis of mutual interest. One-sided interest cannot be the basis for stable relations. Based on this, the Union must ensure the Therefore, in its relations with Central Asia, following balances in order to conduct a the EU should take into account not only its successful foreign policy in the region: own or its Member States' interests, but also First, the European Union should balance the the joint or separate interests of the countries interests of institutional (EU) and national of the Central Asian region and balance them; statehood (Member-states) in foreign policy, Third, the Union should “regionalize” its policy first of all, by coordinating its activities in Central Asia at the regional level and subordinated to the interests of the Union balance its regional approach, which provides with the foreign policy of the Member States a unified solution to common problems aiming at national interests. That is, the specific to the region, with a differentiated European Union is a structure that unites 27 individual approach that is focused on each member states and takes responsibility for the country in the region deriving from their legal regulation and management of a number uniqueness. It is necessary to harmonize the of areas of economy and social life. In these framework of multilateral relations with the areas the European Union exercises legislative framework of bilateral relations. One of these authority, ensures control over the execution two approaches should be chosen depending of legislative acts, establishes an independent on the extent to which the goals and judicial authority. Other areas of economy and objectives of cooperation are expected to be social life are within the jurisdiction of the more effective or the nature of the problem to Member States. Some areas fall under the be solved; joint competences of the Union and the Member States. Striking a balance in the area Fourthly, the European Union seeks to of joint competences is not particularly easy. establish cooperation and partnership with all Thus, the European Union is a statelike the countries of Central Asia. Without it, the structure that operates on the basis of the policy of the Union in the region will not gain principle of distribution of powers. integrity and may turn into chaos. The Union aims to establish relations with each country As in domestic policy, foreign policy follows of the region, taking into account its specific the principle of separation of powers between characteristics. At the same time, such the EU and the Member States: the limits of “consideration of specific characteristics” competence in domestic policy apply equally should not create discriminatory situations to the foreign policy of the Union and the between them. A differential approach based Member States. Therefore, the desire to on the circumstances of each country cannot ensure the distribution of powers and the be interpreted as disc