European Union in Central Asia during the COVID-19 Pandemic : Crisis Response and Future Recovery

In 2019, the European Union presented a new Strategy for its cooperation with Central Asia, part of a larger reshuffling of the European strategic framework aimed at enhancing the global stance of the EU and at engaging in a more balanced way the partners in Central Asia. Romania is among the Eastern European countries with pragmatic interests in developing the cooperation with the region, especially in the fields of economy and energy. The Central Asian countries, although long-time recipients of development assistance for health sector, were severely impacted by the broad effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in domains such as health, education, social services, and economy. The aim of this policy brief is to contextualise the COVID-19 assistance provided by the European Union to Central Asia based on the new strategic framework of the inter-regional relations adopted in 2019. The paper recommends the strengthening of cooperation between the EU and other international donors, in order to improve effectiveness and avoid duplication of priorities. Additionally, the list of priorities should be flexible enough to allow for adaptation based on emerging needs, while mitigating the risk of being solely donor-driven. Finally, the EU should consolidate its common approach in foreign affairs, by engaging the Member States, especially Central and Eastern European ones, in leading sectoral platforms of dialogue and strengthening the role of the EU Special Representative for Central Asia