Brussels, 22/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Heads of state and government are due to adopt the new EU strategy for Central Asia (see EUROPE 9442) at the European Council. In its conclusions the European Council says that this strategy will form the general framework for relations between the EU and Central Asia, in the areas of human rights, the rule of law, governance and democratisation, education, economic development, trade and investment, energy and transport links, environmental policy migration and intercultural dialogue. This partnership, a presidency priority, combines the regional dimension with five bilateral approaches with the countries concerned: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The European Council has asked the Council and Commission to regularly assess progress in implementing the strategy and to submit the first progress report by the middle of 2008. (ab)