Brussels, 10/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the conclusions on Central Asia, the General Affairs Council reaffirmed on Monday the EU's commitment towards this region, as recently hoped by the High Representative for Foreign Policy, Javier Solana. The Council welcomes cooperation from Kazakhstan, Kyrghystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the fight against terrorism and the transport of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. It stresses the need for these five republics to pursue economic and political reforms and approves the Commission's intention to double the current volume of aid given to them by the EU. The Council agrees to: - continue political dialogue with all the countries of Central Asia (with partnership and cooperation agreements and through the local presence of Member States); - resume aid under the Tacis programme and intended for Tajikistan and strengthen contractual relations with this country; - grant aid as a priority to the reduction of poverty, economic and social development, the good management of public affairs and rule of law, water management and the environment; - support the fight against drug trafficking by fully using the action plan between the EU and the republics of Central Asia; - take action concerning border controls, mainly with regard to arms trafficking; - and cooperate with the international organisations concerned (United Nations, OSCE), the financial institutions and other partners.