10/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – During the fifth round of their high-level political and security dialogue, the EU and Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan announced that the new dynamics in the region – including the domestic reform processes and progress on regional cooperation – had created "further opportunities for cooperation between the EU, Central Asia and Afghanistan". The dialogue notably focused on counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism, the possibilities for reinforced cooperation in the fight against illegal drug trafficking and border management, and the development of regional connectivity and regional cooperation on the management of water resources and the environment. The parties discussed the possibilities of extending the relevant aspects of EU-Central Asia cooperation to Afghanistan. (CG)