Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This paper deals with the engagement of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) in Central Asia. Both the US and the EU have common interests in the stability, security, and the economic development of the region. However, although the US has been engaged in the region for more than two decades, the EU’s serious commitment began in 2007, when the EU decided on its plan in the document “The EU and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership” that identified the main reasons why the EU should be involved in Central Asia. Over the years, both the US and the EU have provided aid and investment for many programs. This paper explores the challenges and the impact of the programs implemented in the last ten years and evaluates the effectiveness of these programs in the region. It also examines the areas where the US and the EU can further collaborate to make their involvement in the region more successful.