Portugal and Central Asia

Portuguese relations with Central Asia are naturally perceived as marginal. Although bilateral relations have developed since the mid 2000s, Portugal for the most part follows the trend set by the European Union (EU) and its member states of increased political attention and security concerns. At the bilateral level, Portuguese foreign policy has displayed a trend towards pragmatism, focusing on economic diplomacy as a means to gather new markets and investment, especially in relations with Kazakhstan.

Nevertheless, as in other areas of Portuguese foreign policy, economic diplomacy lacks a strategic vision and the political backing to deliver meaningful results. When compared to other EU member states such as Germany or France, which have been leading proponents of deeper EU-Central Asia relations, Portuguese efforts are naturally minor. Even when compared with Spain, also geographically distant from the region, Portuguese companies have fared rather poorly and the Portuguese government has consistently prioritised relations with other areas, such as Africa.

Portugal’s most relevant action has been shown through its participation in multilateral organisations, perceived as the most effective approach to advancing its interests in the region. Within these institutions, Portuguese diplomats have observed Central Asia from afar, Portugal and Central Asia.

Licínia Simão
Licínia Simão, PhD, is a Researcher at the Centre for Social Studies and Assistant Professor in International Relations at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. She has undertaken several research and teaching fellowships, at locations such as the Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels (2007), the OSCE Academy, Bishkek (2010) and Carleton University, Ottawa (2012). Her research interests include security studies and foreign policy analysis, especially European foreign policy and security dynamics in the post-Soviet space, with a focus on the South Caucasus and Central Asia, on which she has published several academic and policy oriented articles.

Especially considering the Portuguese presence in Afghanistan. The most faithful characterisation of Portugal’s involvement with Central Asia would be ‘let the EU/OSCE/NATO do it’, with important concerns with security in Afghanistan and the promotion of values being in line with the EU’s normative approach. This does not come as a surprise and should be understood as a natural result of other Portuguese interests and the rationalisation of limited resources, with clear preferences for multilateral formats.