The instruments of the European Union’s Soft Power in Central Asia

The article examines the principal instruments the European Union «soft power» in the Central Asian countries, also their role in advancing European values and in shaping and strengthening relations with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. The legal basis for the inception of cooperation between the European Union and the states of the region is the «Strategy for a New Partnership» adopted in 2007, which was lated updated in 2019. Partnership was further strengthened after the signing of a joint declaration following the «European Union-Central Asia» summit in 2025. In the current geopolitical environment, the EU’s interest in the region is driven by the growing strategic importance of the Central Asian states. The EU’s distinctive feature is its exclusive reliance on «soft power» to foster relationships. The principal instruments include humanitarian cooperation, cultural diplomacy, educational programs, support for civil society institutions, and the advancement of democratic values. The effectiveness of the tools has been assessed with results including students’ exchanges, the expansion of civil society and educational reform. This evaluation highlights the potential of «soft power» to develop long-term partnerships, support reforms in the region, and form a positive image of Europe. The research emphasizes the constraints faced by the European Union, including geopolitical rivalry from Russia, China and other actors, differences in cultural and political contexts, also limited resources for large-scale program implementation. Accordingly, the analysis has been carried out on the limitations to the EU’s «soft power» in Central Asia, which reduce the impact of European initiatives. The research stresses the necessity for a more flexible and adaptive approach that accounts for the specificities and priorities of the region’s countries. This approach would enable the EU to establish sustainable ties aligned with regional interests. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the effectiveness of soft power application depends on the EU’s strategically attitude in Central Asia. The article examines the most important instruments of European union soft power in Central Asian countries, such as humanitarian cooperation, cultural diplomacy, educational programs, support for civil society institutions and the promotion of democratic values. The European Union’s interest in this region is driven by the growing strategic importance of Central Asian countries in the current geopolitical environment. The effectiveness of these instruments in these countries has been assessed, resulting in student exchanges, the growth of civil society and education reforms. The analysis of the limitations of the EU’s soft power in Central Asian countries has been conducted.

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