The discussion began with the presentation of Uzbek scholar based on research that he carried out at the Institute of European studies within Erasmus-Mundus research fellowship program of the European Commission and than followed by free-open discussion.

The past, current situation and prospects of the mutual relations and their legal and institutional frame, European interests in reliable energy supply, regional security, effective measures against terrorism, religious extremism and organized crime, as well as EU influence in Central Asia in correlation with US, Russian, Chine’s presence in region questioned were the main points of discussion.

From point of view of Uzbek scholar, during recent years, the interests of European Union in Central Asia have significantly increased. The following factors may facilitate to explain the reason:

The first one connected with the enlargement of European Union; after the last enlargement, European Union ended up having common borders with CIS (or NIS) and came very close to Central Asia in geographic sense. If we take into account that the visa regulations are still preserved within CIS countries, than EU almost shares borders with Central Asia. Moreover, latest enlargement of the Union, to some extent, helped to mutual interregional understanding as said by European Commissioner for External Relations: “The European Union is now waking up to the importance of Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a whole. We are two regions with a great deal in common, whose interests are intertwined, and who should have much deeper and more developed relations. Thanks to the EU’s latest enlargement, you are now closer to the EU. The European Union has realized there’s a serious strategic gap in our relations, and we are now beginning to make major efforts to address that gap” .

Second factor is an economic one. Continuously raising energy demand of European Union and sense of energy dependence on Russia, forcing it to seek alternative ways and to refer to Central Asia as a reliable partner.

Third, the market economy and democratic reforms occurring in Central Asia and guaranteed regional stability are opening the region’s door even wider for EU and attract even more attention of the world.

Finally, while certain countries take steps approaching the region, they eventually pull the convoy of European Union towards the same direction. It’s appropriate to mention German factor in this regard. Based on rational and intuitive approach, the political and business elite of Germany has been considering the region with special concern. It is quite possible that natural, as well as intellectual resources of the region are winning Germany’s attention.

These factors obviously led to the European Union-Central Asian rapprochement. In the wake of the 2004 and 2007 enlargements, the EU has come closer to Central Asia, geographically, politically and economically, and intends to strengthen and deepen its relations with Central Asian countries. Therefore, 3 strategic documents were adopted by the European Council and European Commission: “The EU and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership”, “Regional Strategy Paper for assistance to Central Asia” and “Central Asia Indicative Programme 2007-2010”.

Moderator of the discussion – Professor Z.Mach, Director of the Institute of European studies, current supervisor of the Khaydarali Yunusov, said that “this kind of meeting and discussion is very useful and helps young generation to reach interregional, intercultural mutual understanding. Unfortunately, we know much less about Central Asia than we might know”.

This event was organized by the Center for European studies and Institute of European studies – the main European academic institutions specialized in European studies in Poland. Properly, it should be pointed out that a couple weeks ago a similar event was held in Bonn (Germany), at the German Development Institute (DIE), in December, 2007 where visiting fellow of the German Development Institute from Shanghai Institute for International Studies - Dr. Shao Yuqun delivered lecture on “The European approach towards Central Asia”.

Both recent events and high-qualified scholars` commitments witnessed that reality and prospects of EU-CA rapprochement is becoming timely core subject for the prestigious academic institutions of Europe.

Research paper written by Khaydarali Yunusov under supervision of Prof. Z. Mach will be available soon in on-line academic paper form at the web-site of IES and CES.