The Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy , Federica Mogherini, reaffirmed on Sunday 7 July in Bishkek, on the occasion of the 15th meeting of EU and Central Asian Ministers, their “common desire to forge a strong, diversified and forward-looking partnership, building on the positive momentum underway in Asia”.
According to their joint declaration, they want to work together for peace, security, human rights, democracy and sustainable development in full respect of international law.
The Ministers and the High Representative also agreed to work together to promote sustainable connectivity and stressed the importance of supporting, where appropriate, Afghanistan's participation in EU-Central Asia cooperation initiatives and projects and of strengthening connectivity between Central Asian countries and Afghanistan.
The EU also reiterated its willingness to strengthen its role as a partner of the Central Asian countries in their reform process “as a supporter of their integration into the global trading system and their regional cooperation efforts”.
The High Representative also took advantage of her visit to make announcements. The EU will invest €20 million in a new hydroelectric power plant in Tajikistan. In addition, a new €36 million programme for the education sector in Kyrgyzstan has been launched. The EU has also extended its €14 million regional programme on sustainable consumption and production, which is developing a green economy and will, together with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, invest €2 million to support Afghan women who contribute to their country's economic development.
According to the High Representative, the EU is also preparing a contribution to human security in the Aral Sea region and new technical assistance to combat terrorism and will launch a new phase of the Border Management in Central Asia Programme (BOMCA) and the Central Asian Drugs Action Programme (CADAP). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)