Abstract:
Ankara's role in Central Asia is often assessed through the "Great Game" lens, in which Turkey is supposed to challenge the influence of Russia and China. On the one hand, such a perspective attests to the growing role of Turkey in the region. On the other hand, this view ignores the agency of Central Asian states and the established multi-vector foreign policies, meaning that cooperation with Ankara is a complement to, rather than a replacement for, their interactions with other actors. As the European Union (EU) seeks to engage in Central Asia, its approach will need to accommodate the diversification pattern prevailing in the region.
