EU could ditch human rights to secure Central Asian energy

The EU should strengthen contacts with authoritarian regimes in central Asia in order to secure energy resources that are of "permanent strategic importance", according to a confidential strategy paper drafted by the European Commission.

The 15-page document prepares the ground for a dramatic shift in EU policy on central Asia and warns that the EU has lost out because of previous policies which put a strong emphasis on human rights.

"The stakes are very high for the future of EU relations with Central Asia," says the document, adding that the US, Russia and China have "seized in the last 15 years opportunities which were neglected by the EU".

Despite the EU’s interest in central Asian energy, ties between the EU and the region have been strained over human rights abuses, particularly in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

While stressing the need for good governance to avoid creating new failed states and an increase in radicalism, the paper states: "EU policies of limiting engagement have not had the desired impact."

The EU should now shift its focus toward what is described as a "security, governance and resources partnership", it adds.

Germany has made developing ties with central Asia one of the priorities for its six-month EU presidency. It hopes EU leaders will agree to a new strategy on central Asia when they meet on 21-22 June in Brussels.

The Commission’s document is the first concrete proposal to come ahead of that meeting, although the EU special representative for central Asia, Pierre Morel, has also drafted ideas for a future strategy.

Discussion on the Commission’s paper will begin on Friday (2 February) when EU ambassadors meet in Brussels.

According to diplomats, there is a growing willingness among EU member states to engage in the region, despite differences over how much to focus on human rights. There are already indications that talks will be difficult.

In November 2006 member states clashed over German proposals to lift sanctions against Uzbekistan, with some calling for the EU to make democratic reform a condition for lifting sanctions.

"It was not a very easy discussion," said one diplomat, as member states "do not have quite the same views when it comes to conditionality and engagement".

The Commission paper also stresses the need to bring Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kirgizstan and Tajikistan into the international economy in order to ensure stability.

Although it rejects Kazakhstan’s request to become part of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the paper recommends creating a

"special relationship" where Kazakhstan is "primus inter pares".

Charles Esser, from the International Crisis Group, said that fears of overdependence on Russian gas might be pushing the EU toward a policy that did not take account of the realities in central Asia. "It is wrong-headed to say they should be given a free pass because of energy," said Esser.

"At present there is no way for central Asia's gas to reach Europe without going through Russia. Once you take a close look at it, there is no easy alternative to Russia. If that is true, then the benefit [for Europe] may be to transform these states in a positive direction, along with progress in human rights."

The EU should strengthen contacts with authoritarian regimes in central Asia in order to secure energy resources that are of "permanent strategic importance", according to a confidential strategy paper drafted by the European Commission.