The 2019 EU Central Asia Strategy provides a broad strategic framework for cooperation with the five countries in the region. With the young Central Asian population in mind, the IEP has analysed the feasibility of a youth dimension as a new priority in the EU's relations with Central Asia. The analysis focuses on how the EU can contribute to providing good life prospects for the youth population of Central Asia.
On behalf of the Federal Foreign Office, the IEP has examined the challenges and potentials of a youth policy dimension in relations with Central Asia. Intensifying relations in youth policy is beneficial for both sides and is not in direct competition with China's or Russia's activities in the region. A youth policy dimension of European Central Asia policy also offers the chance to improve the EU's visibility in the region. To seize this opportunity, the IEP provides specific policy recommendations and proposes an intra-European division of labour to create the youth policy dimension.
A comprehensive analysis of the challenges and potentials is presented in the IEP Research Paper 1/2021 "Young Central Asia. Recommendations to the German Government for the Implementation of the EU-Central Asia Strategy".