Central Asia and European Union collaborate to enhance interregional bonds
Central Asian and European Union officials have shown their commitment to enhancing interregional cooperation during the recent Central Asia-EU High Level Political and Security Dialogue. The meeting, which marked the tenth anniversary of the dialogue, took place on June 13 and was reported by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
Deputy foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, along with Turkmenistan’s ambassador in Astana, attended the event. The EU delegation was led by Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service.
The discussions focused on various issues, including water security, combating illegal migration, and addressing religious extremism in the Central Asian region. The participants also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, two years after the Taliban returned to power, and on pressing international concerns.
Roman Vassilenko, the Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister, emphasized that Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the EU are entering a new phase in their relations. He expressed confidence that interregional cooperation in trade, economy, investment, transportation, logistics, and security challenges will strengthen and expand.
On the EU side, Enrique Mora reaffirmed the EU’s commitment as a reliable partner for Central Asia.
Vassilenko highlighted the significant increase in regional cooperation and the EU’s investment in Central Asia, which amounted to nearly 105 billion euros ($113.8 billion) over the past decade. Trade between Central Asia and the EU has also witnessed a remarkable growth of 61%, reaching $49 billion in 2022. The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the EU alone totaled $40 billion.
Vassilenko outlined Kazakhstan’s efforts to promote cooperation in the region and identified areas of collaboration such as rare earth metals, digitalization, ecology, and the green transition.
Transport and logistics were also addressed during the meeting. Vassilenko welcomed the key findings of a study by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on sustainable connectivity between the EU and Central Asia. He urged participants to tap into the potential of the “Central Trans-Caspian Transport Network,” which the EBRD has identified as the most sustainable option for future development.
Developing infrastructure, harmonizing transport standards, and removing barriers in this area were seen as steps that would bring economic benefits and strengthen cooperation between the countries of the region and the EU.
The situation in Afghanistan was another important topic of discussion. The outcomes of recent meetings in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and Doha, Qatar, were reviewed. Kazakhstan expressed its commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and to developing trade and economic cooperation with Afghanistan, thereby contributing to the country’s security.
Additionally, Kazakh universities are implementing an EU-funded and UN-administered educational program for Afghan women.
The participants in the meeting also outlined key areas of cooperation and discussed preparations for the upcoming Central Asia-EU Ministerial Meeting in autumn and a full-fledged summit in 2024. These engagements reflect the shared commitment to deepening interregional ties and addressing common challenges.
