The European Union Special Envoy for Sanctions, David O'Sullivan, is set to embark on his third visit to Central Asia, specifically Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, from November 28 to 30. O'Sullivan last visited the region in April of this year. The upcoming visit has sparked speculation about its purpose, with Nezavisimaya Gazeta suggesting that O'Sullivan aims to discuss the recent trip to Astana by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During Putin's visit, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged the lifting of international sanctions on essential items such as food, fertilizers, and seeds. Despite this plea, Tokayev had previously asserted that the state would adhere to economic restrictions concerning Russia.
Political analysts cited in the publication suggest that O'Sullivan's visit is tied to the EU's interest in verifying compliance with sanctions by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Nezavisimaya Gazeta quoted Bakhtiyor Ergashev, director of the Man’o Center for Research Initiatives, stating, "The governments of the countries in the region assure European officials that all sanctions requirements are being met. However, O'Sullivan's visit indicates potential challenges in the actual implementation of these sanctions by businesses in Central Asian countries."
Ergashev noted that the economic repercussions of the armed conflict in Ukraine have impacted Central Asia, leading to financial losses due to disrupted freight flows between China and Europe. In response, local businesses are exploring alternative avenues to compensate for these losses.
Alexander Knyazev, a researcher at the Institute of International Studies at MGIMO under the Russian Foreign Ministry, characterized the economic influence of the United States and the European Union in Central Asia as limited. He described O'Sullivan's visits as a policy marked by constant reminders and threats rather than a robust economic presence in the region.
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