| ID | 190178 |
| Title Proper | Opportunity and threat perceptions of the EU in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Central Asia ; Arynov, Zhanibek |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | In Central Asia the European Union (EU) positions itself as a benign and gentle actor with no geopolitical intentions. But is this self-prescribed image of a ‘force for good’ shared by Central Asians? To answer this question, the article scrutinizes whether the EU is perceived as posing a threat to or offering an opportunity in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Theoretically it is argued that the EU cannot unilaterally claim a certain role in the region; rather, perceptions held by Central Asians partly determine what kind of actor the EU can be and what kind of policies it can successfully implement. The article finds that opportunity/threat perceptions are highly issue specific. Depending on a particular issue area, the EU’s image may change from that of an opportunity to a threat, or vice versa. Yet, the opportunity aspect visibly prevails in both countries, which can be regarded as the EU’s comparative advantage vis-à-vis other actors in the region. |
| `In' analytical Note | Central Asian Survey Vol. 41, No.4; Dec 2022: p.734-751 |
| Journal Source | Central Asian Survey Vol: 41 No 4 |
| Key Words | European Union ; Central Asia ; Perception ; Image ; Threat/Opportunity |