EUCAM Policy Brief No. 7
16.06.2009. Category:Central Asia
Central Asia and the Global Economic Crisis, EUCAM Policy Brief No. 7, June 2009
In 2007 the EU published a Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia. In its initial stages the EU focused on developing new forums for dialogue with the Central Asian countries, and received some criticism for inadequate substantive actions. This Policy Brief argues that the current global economic crisis does not alter the priorities of the EU Strategy, but it does require the EU to stick to existing obligations and also provides an opportunity for fresh initiatives to better achieve the Strategy’s fundamental goals.
This EUCAM Policy Brief is part of a mini-series of three publications on the impact of the global slowdown on Central Asia and its relations with the European Union.
Download the Policy Brief
In 2007 the EU published a Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia. In its initial stages the EU focused on developing new forums for dialogue with the Central Asian countries, and received some criticism for inadequate substantive actions. This Policy Brief argues that the current global economic crisis does not alter the priorities of the EU Strategy, but it does require the EU to stick to existing obligations and also provides an opportunity for fresh initiatives to better achieve the Strategy’s fundamental goals.
This EUCAM Policy Brief is part of a mini-series of three publications on the impact of the global slowdown on Central Asia and its relations with the European Union.
Download the Policy Brief
EUCAM Policy Brief No. 6
15.06.2009. Category:Central Asia
The EU's approach to the development of mass media in Central Asia, EUCAM Policy Brief No. 6, June 2009
In spite of positive developments in terms of human rights, the rule of law and democratisation in Central Asia following the adoption of the European Union (EU) Strategy for Central Asia in June 2007, the state of the mass media continues to deteriorate in all five countries in the region.
This policy brief identifies tendencies and problems affecting the development of free media outlets in Central Asia and proposes ways and means through which the EU could engage to improve the situation.
Download the Policy Brief
In spite of positive developments in terms of human rights, the rule of law and democratisation in Central Asia following the adoption of the European Union (EU) Strategy for Central Asia in June 2007, the state of the mass media continues to deteriorate in all five countries in the region.
This policy brief identifies tendencies and problems affecting the development of free media outlets in Central Asia and proposes ways and means through which the EU could engage to improve the situation.
Download the Policy Brief
Turkmen, Uzbek eyes stray toward Brussels
04.06.2009. Category:Turkmenistan | Uzbekistan
Just a few years ago, it would have been difficult to imagine an official from Turkmenistan visiting Brussels to discuss exporting natural gas directly to the EU.More ...
Slighted by Russia, Ashgabat courts EU
04.06.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
Officials at the European Commission have attempted to downplay the significance of meetings this week between Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and EU officials. More ...
activists appeal to the world community with the message to boycott Uzbek cotton
04.06.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
On June 4, the activists of Uzbekistan disseminated the message, where they appeal to the world community to boycott Uzbek cotton, because, according to the letter, "only boycotting can force Karimov’s regime to stop child labor practice".More ...
Meet Human Rights standards
04.06.2009. Category:Kazakhstan
(Almaty) - The Kazakh government has seven months to improve its human rights record to meet the standards of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) before it takes over the institution's chairmanship, Human Rights Watch said today.More ...
The new Turkmenistan, not much different from the old Turkmenistan
04.06.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
This documentary gives a look behind the scenes of Turkmenistan under President Berdymukhammedov. The film was made by journalist Simon Ostrovsky, and was funded by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.More ...
Open letter of Uzbek activists who call for boycott of Uzbek cotton to stop the practice of forced child labour
03.06.2009. Category:Uzbekistan
Despite ratifying International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, Uzbekistan continues to use forced child labor.
Uzbekistan does not reinvest the proceeds from its cotton exports into cotton producers and the rural areas where it is grown, but siphons it into the hands of a small group of the country’s ruling elites.
World Bank and Asian Development Bank loans to Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector have not led to genuine reform. Uzbekistan’s continued reliance upon a command economy paves the way for loans to go into the hands of the ruling elite. Activists are calling for international financial instruments to lend to the Uzbek agro-sector only on a conditional basis, to encourage the reforms that would free Uzbek farmers from the tyranny of a corrupt regime.
Activists are calling for a boycott of Uzbek cotton. They call upon companies importing cotton, in particular the Dubai Multi Commodities Center , as well as retailers, to adhere to the principles of corporate social responsibility
The international community should not take at face value mere spoken or written commitments made by Uzbekistan, but should demand actions demonstrating a complete end to the practice of forced child labor that can be verified via an independent monitoring during the cotton season.
Activists call on the U.S. government and the EU to take steps to prevent their markets from being penetrated by products bearing traces of forced child labor.
Full text
Uzbekistan does not reinvest the proceeds from its cotton exports into cotton producers and the rural areas where it is grown, but siphons it into the hands of a small group of the country’s ruling elites.
World Bank and Asian Development Bank loans to Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector have not led to genuine reform. Uzbekistan’s continued reliance upon a command economy paves the way for loans to go into the hands of the ruling elite. Activists are calling for international financial instruments to lend to the Uzbek agro-sector only on a conditional basis, to encourage the reforms that would free Uzbek farmers from the tyranny of a corrupt regime.
Activists are calling for a boycott of Uzbek cotton. They call upon companies importing cotton, in particular the Dubai Multi Commodities Center , as well as retailers, to adhere to the principles of corporate social responsibility
The international community should not take at face value mere spoken or written commitments made by Uzbekistan, but should demand actions demonstrating a complete end to the practice of forced child labor that can be verified via an independent monitoring during the cotton season.
Activists call on the U.S. government and the EU to take steps to prevent their markets from being penetrated by products bearing traces of forced child labor.
Full text
New ETG Central Asia News Digest
03.06.2009. Category:Turkmenistan
ETG’s Central Asia News Digest, this month focusing on Turkmenistan, has been published. Send us an email to order the electronic version.
We are still working on the abriged English version, so keep in mind that this document is in Russian.
We are still working on the abriged English version, so keep in mind that this document is in Russian.
Central Asian gas: An opportunity Europe seems determined to miss
02.06.2009. Category:Central Asia
If ever there was a time for the European Union to cut the Gordian knot of energy dependence on Russia -- or, more precisely, cut out the Russian middleman currently controlling supply routes from the Caspian Sea region -- it is now.More ...