Security and development approaches to Central Asia. The EU compared to China and Russia

China and Russia are the most influential external actors
in Central Asia, while the EU has substantially increased
its activity and presence in the region since 2007. The
security and development interests of these three actors
are sometimes at odds but can also overlap. The three
actors are usually perceived in terms of different stereotypes.

Whereas the EU is known for its emphasis on democratic values and human rights, Russia is seen as the main security actor (not including the United States and its actions in Afghanistan) and China as the main investor in infrastructure and importer of energy. How do these
stereotypes compare in regard to security and development
interests? Is there any scope for cooperation and
coordination or can policies be boiled down to zero-sum
geo-political competition?

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