DUSHANBE, April 8, Asia-Plus — Central Asia and Europe are vital for each other. This is a region at the cross-roads between Afghanistan, China and Russia and with close links to our neighbors in the South Caucasus and thus of crucial relevance for Europe’s security and prosperity. At the same time, Europe has a lot to offer to Central Asia: the European Union is a major partner for trade and an important customer for your energy supplies, Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, member of the European Commission in charge of External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, made a statement on April 7, according to press release issued by the European Commission Delegation in Dushanbe said.
This week I and my EU colleagues will meet with Foreign Ministers from the region in Ashgabat to discuss the further deepening of our relationship. Under Europe”s new Central Asia Strategy we are hard at work to deepen our relations with the region as a whole, but I am also looking forward to discussing the opportunities opening up in our bilateral relations with Tajikistan n talks with President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi).
A politically stable, economically strong, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Central Asia is in our mutual interest and the EU can support progress in the region in a wide variety of ways.
In 2007-2013 the EU is doubling its financial assistance to the region to a total of €750mio Our Member States are building bilateral partnerships with the countries of Central Asia on issues ranging from tackling HIV/AIDS to providing clean water. We are offering assistance to improve your governments” capacity to assist small businesses and to create bridges between the governments and the private sector – just one of the ways we seek to contribute to the eradication of poverty and to the gradual economic transformation of the region. We are supporting economic diversification by improving local skills and potential in science, technology, and innovation.
I agree with your government that education is a high priority – for the economy and the future of your country. That is why we are offering more opportunities for students from Central Asia to study in the European Union. Erasmus Mundus places and scholarships are available for students from Central Asia to study in the European Union and we have set up links with hundreds of educational institutions. We plan to build a large-scale internet connection for the research and education community.
The EU is stepping up its activities in Central Asia because we see clearly that there are many mutual interests. Opium smuggling from Afghanistan is not only a problem in this region – but much farther a field where the drugs reach the European market and do terrible harm. That is one reason why we are firmly committed to joint efforts in border management combating drug trafficking. The Border Management in Central Asia program, which includes training, and equipment to modernize border crossings, is more than 90% financed by the European Commission. Better managed border crossings also make for smoother trade – which is another gain for development of economies in the region.
It is a known fact that Europe is importing increasing volumes of gas. We are currently diversifying our suppliers and routes of supply and we believe Central Asia should have an important role to play in our future energy security. Our assistance aims at helping Central Asian countries to explore transport routes of oil and gas for the benefit of both the region and of Europe. Furthermore, we are sharing our expertise in the development and use of renewable energy. We are supporting the upgrading of the Bukhara-Tashkent-Bishkek-Almaty pipeline and providing training for gas company staff to keep it well maintained and secure.
Europe makes a priority of promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world. We hope that we can also support reforms Central Asia. Kazakhstan”s chairmanship of the OSCE is an opportunity for the region to consider new perspectives in this area.
I hope that the meetings this week between the EU and Central Asian governments will send a clear message: Europe is committed to working with the countries of Central Asia. We believe there is much more that we can do together, and we are ready to assist the development of the region in very practical way. A good co operation between us will mean a more prosperous and a more secure future for citizens on both our continents.
