The European Union and Central Asia: historical overview, current situation and prospects

The EU and CA relationships have more than a quarter century history. The issue of recognition of new states that became independent in Central Asian region came forth before European Community1 in end of XX century. With the Joint Declaration of Twelve issued on 31 December 1991, European Community recognized state independence of Central Asian republics . The recognition of the independent statehood of new Central Asian republics developed in the following way: first, new understanding (or approach) with regard to the procedure of recognition of the independence of newly emerged States was worked out. This understanding was a part of the document entitled Guidelines on the Recognition of New States in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union adopted on 16 December 1991 in Brussels. Although the Declaration was not of a binding character, it only opened the door for European Community member states to recognize newly independent states of former Soviet Union