Central Asia is Rising: Regional Integration, Border Resolution, and Strategic Autonomy
The European Neighborhood Council (ENC) released a new analysis on “Regional Integration, Border Resolution, and Strategic Autonomy.”
The article is written by Nazerke Mukhamediya, ENC Research and Communications Assistant and Independent Researcher and Dr. Aijan Sharshenova, ENC Academic Council Member and the Executive Director at Crossroads Central Asia.
Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, Central Asia grappled with building statehood amid unresolved borders and weak infrastructure, hindering regional integration for decades. Today, however, the region shows renewed momentum for cooperation around shared goals like connectivity, water management, and global engagement. This ENC analysis examines recent milestones—including border agreements and regional forums like the C5+1—highlighting the potential for a new era of regionalism. Despite persistent challenges, the authors argue that deeper cooperation is key to Central Asia’s stability, prosperity, and growing role in the international arena.
The full analysis is available here.
