In the run-up to the EU-Central Asia Summit on 4 and 5 April in Uzbekistan, discussions at the ministerial meeting between the two regions, on Thursday 27 March, in Turkmenistan, focused on intensifying relations, in particular by improving the institutional framework of bilateral agreements between the EU and its Member States and the countries of Central Asia.
The partners mentioned the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the EU and Kyrgyzstan in June 2024, and looked forward to the forthcoming signing of the EPCA with Tajikistan.
Turkmenistan has also proposed strengthening the legal framework for its bilateral relations with the EU.
For its part, the EU encouraged improvements in the business climate in Central Asian countries, notably by promoting responsible business conduct.
It also spoke of the importance of preventing sanctions from being circumvented.
The partners also discussed the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, the growing importance of critical raw materials in EU-Central Asia relations and the expansion of digital connectivity.
They also exchanged views on regional security, including the situation in Afghanistan and the joint fight against organised crime and terrorism.
Other topics of discussion included the fight against climate change, the international community’s commitment to cleaning up of uranium mining legacy sites in three Central Asian countries, and cooperation in the water sector.
The next EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting will be held in Brussels in 2026.
To see the joint communiqué: https://aeur.eu/f/g53 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)