Reciprocal adaptation and learning processes in cooperation relations between international institutions (EU and ADB) and Central Asian States (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan)

Contact Person: Elena Kulipanowa, M.A., M.P.S.

This PhD project investigates the role played by external actors upon the regional cooperation processes in Central Asia. It specifically deals with the efforts of multilateral institutions to promote multilateral cooperation in this region which is considered to be the best way to achieve sustainable development and stability. Given the mixed results of those activities so far and the still ambivalent patterns of cooperative behaviour between the Central Asian states, the study aims to assess whether, and if so how, it is it possible for the multilateral institutions to have an impact on the development of regional cooperation in Central Asia.

The empirical research is based on the following selected case studies: UNDP, EU and ADB on the one hand, and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, on the other hand. In addition to the analysis of primary sources, the qualitative research methods will be applied, including semi-structured interviews with representatives of the selected multilateral institutions and policy-makers in the Central Asian states.

The PhD project is supported by a joint scholarship from the DAAD and the Open Society Institute (OSI) between 2008 and 2011.