The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, was in Sarmarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday 18 November where he co-chaired the EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference. The day before, he also chaired an EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting.
At both events, he assured the countries of the region that the EU was ready to support them in their connectivity projects. This does not have to be “at the expense of other connections”, he said.
In his view, good connectivity is necessary to develop strategic autonomy on both sides, and there is scope for increased cooperation between the two regions.
He announced the launch of two ‘Team Europe’ initiatives for Central Asia as part of the ‘Global Gateway’. The first is on water, energy and climate change, the second on digital connectivity.
Participants at the ministerial meeting on Thursday discussed the issue of borders in Central Asia and the conflicts that can occur there. The case of neighbouring Afghanistan was discussed at length. The EU will continue to support border security through its border management programme for Central Asia, assured Josep Borrell.
During his stay, Mr Borrell also met with the Turkmen and Tajik ministers, after holding talks with his Kazakh counterpart in Astana (see EUROPE 13065/32). (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)