New EU Special Representative for Central Asia Appointed: Eduards Strong Takes Over from Terhi Hakala
The European Council has announced the appointment of Eduards Stiprais as the new EU Special Representative for Central Asia. Starting his role on March 1, 2025, Stiprais will take over from Terhi Hakala with an initial two-year mandate.
Stiprais’s main objective in his new position will be to strengthen the relationship between the EU and Central Asian countries by fostering common values, promoting stability and cooperation in the region, and advocating for democracy, the rule of law, good governance, as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Working closely with the High Representative, Stiprais will focus on improving the EU’s impact by enhancing coordination with relevant partners and international organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations.
Having a wealth of experience in diplomacy, Eduards Stiprais is a Latvian diplomat who has previously served as the Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU and as the Deputy State Secretary – Political Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, he has led the EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan from 2016 to 2020 and has held ambassadorial positions for Latvia in the United Kingdom and France.
Photo: lz.lv
