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Fuelling the New Great Game: Kazakhstan, energy policy and the EU

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Abstract

This article looks at the “New Great Game” as the most widely used metaphor for the geopolitical dynamics of Central Asia. Its focus is on Kazakhstan and Europe with particular reference to energy policies. The European approach to Kazakhstan is conditioned by its energy security priorities with issues of democracy and human rights relegated to the margins. For Kazakhstan, the article suggests that the game is played with an eye to regime legitimacy, territorial integrity, and international recognition. Relations between Kazakhstan, China and Russia are also examined. Some of the limitations and strengths of the Great Game metaphor are analysed.

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Notes

  1. “Nazarbayev Calls on Countries to Follow G-Global Principles, Maximise Economic Development”, The Astana Times, 27 May 2014. Available at http://astanatimes.com/2014/05/nazarbayev-calls-countries-follow-g-global-principles-maximise-economic-development/, accessed at 24 November, 2015.

  2. Phrase used by President Medvedev in 2008.

  3. Currently, 655 Afghan students take their education in Kazakhstani universities.

  4. “Gumanitarnuyu pomoshch” na summu okolo 2 millionov dollarov vydelil Kazakhstan Afganistanu’, Tengri News, 19 May 2014, available at: http://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/gumanitarnuyu-pomosch-summu-okolo-2-millionov-dollarov-255508/, accessed 17 October, 2015.

  5. “Peacekeeping Operations in Iraq”, The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the United States of America, available at: http://www.kazakhembus.com/content/peacekeeping-operations-iraq, accessed 17 October 2015.

  6. Vinokurov, E. (2015, eds.) EDB Eurasian Integration Barometer, Analytical Report #33 (2015), p. 29, available at: http://www.eabr.org/general//upload/EDB_Centre_Analytical_Report_33_Full_Rus.pdf, accessed 29 November 2015

  7. Maçães, B. (2015), “We are all Eurasian now”, Financial Times (London), 25 November 2015.

  8. General Secretariat of the Council (2007), European Union and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership, Brussels: European Communities.

  9. Oil can be transported by ship much easier than gas so accessing pipelines on the other side of the Caspian is an option for Kazakhstan. For gas, a pipeline is the only feasible route.

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Acknowledgments

This article is based on the research project ELSCID. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 693799.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

    Neil Collins

  2. Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

    Kristina Bekenova

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  1. Neil Collins
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  2. Kristina Bekenova
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Correspondence to Neil Collins.

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Collins, N., Bekenova, K. Fuelling the New Great Game: Kazakhstan, energy policy and the EU. Asia Eur J 15, 1–20 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-016-0451-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308-016-0451-4

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