Brussels, 23/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - In conclusions adopted at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 22 June, the European foreign affairs ministers called for increased political and economic cooperation with Central Asia, while stressing the importance of democratisation, the respect of human rights and the rule of law, and socio-economic development.
In its conclusions, the Council welcomes the “substantial progress” achieved in developing the EU's relations with the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) after eight years of implementing the strategy for the region that was adopted in 2007. The Council hails the conclusion and initialling of the enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan, as it does the entry into force of the partnership and cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan (where it would like an EU delegation to be set up “as soon as possible”.)
While it believes the main goals and priorities of the 2007 strategy “remain pertinent”, the Council nevertheless calls for trade and energy links between the two regions to be enhanced. On trade issues, the Council underlines the EU's role in promoting an attractive investment climate and a stable and transparent legal framework in Central Asia, along with a social partnership, building on progress made by the countries of the region in their WTO accessions. In the area of energy, the Council calls for increased integration of the regions' markets with each other, as well as with international markets, and it underlines the EU's resolve to extend its southern gas corridor project to the region.
The Council also calls for greater cooperation on security, including the sustainable management of natural resources. As regards security, the Council encourages dialogues to be continued with the countries of the region on the fight against terrorism and radicalisation, and on the fight against drugs trafficking and organised crime, involving Afghanistan in this more. With regard to natural resources, especially water, the Council advocates regional dialogue frameworks and wider accession to international conventions and legal principles governing cross-border resources.
The 28 EU member states also underline “the fundamental importance” of democratisation, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and socio-economic development in Central Asia. They therefore pledge to step up their efforts to address the serious threats to human rights in the region, by deepening dialogues on this and by continuing to provide important support to reforms. As regards good governance, the Council highlights the need to strengthen the capacity of public administration and local authorities to promote sustainable economic and social development and the transparent management of public resources in Central Asia.
With over double the funding for the EU's cooperation with Central Asia for the 2014-2020 period compared with the 2007-2013 period (€1.068 billion, up by 56%), the conditions for continuing the EU's action in the region are “favourable”, the Council concludes. (Emmanuel Hagry)