On Friday 10 November, the foreign affairs ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the Vice-President of the European Commission with responsibility for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, stressed the potential to reinforce economic relations between the EU and the countries of Central Asia.
In a joint declaration published following a ministerial meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the theme 'The EU and Central Asia: working for a safer and more prosperous future together', the parties said that “strengthening the nexus between security, migration, climate change and economic sustainable development could contribute to stronger economies”. Both sides also argue that “particular attention should be paid to enhancing Central Asia's economic, transit and transport potential”. This will require “the implementation of programmes aimed at improving the investment climate, ensuring sustainable economic growth, effective border management, developing human capital through education and supporting small and medium-sized businesses and employment”.
The EU and the countries of Central Asia stressed the importance of continuing to “strengthen the resilience of societies through good governance, including the strengthening of democracy, the protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in order to enable them to effectively and flexibly tackle threats from violent extremism, terrorism and drug trafficking, and to respond to financial and political challenges”. They also call for the countries of the region to join forces to find “mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial solutions” concerning water and energy resources and the protection of the environment.
The participants also discussed regional and international questions of mutual interest and security challenges in both regions, including Afghanistan. They called for the relevant joint efforts concerning the country to continue. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)