The tenth round of the annual High-Level Political and Security Dialogue between the European Union and Central Asia’s nations (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) took place in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, on June 13.
Hosted by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Vassilenko and chaired by Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the meeting was held at the level of Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
The Tajik MFA information department says Tajikistan was represented at the meeting by Deputy Foreign minister Farhod Salim.
The parties reportedly discussed the current state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union.
They also exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest.
Press release issued by the EEAS says the High-Level Political and Security Dialogue meeting provided an opportunity for the EU to reiterate its strong commitment to the region, which continues to be confronted to the repercussions of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and the negative developments in Afghanistan. On this occasion, the EU reaffirmed its willingness to support all efforts aiming to intensify EU cooperation with Central Asia.
The EU reportedly reiterated its wish to step up cooperation with the region in the management of water-related challenges, energy and climate change and on connectivity, building on the outcomes of the EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on November 18, 2022, and the EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on May 18-19, 2023.
The participants exchanged views on a number of key issues, including counter-terrorism and violent extremism, drug trafficking and border management, and reviewed possibilities for reinforced cooperation in these areas. It was agreed to intensify common efforts between the EU and Central Asian states in these areas.
The High-Level Political and Security Dialogue reflects a shared interest of the EU and of the Central Asian countries to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on security issues. It also builds on the intensified levels of cooperation developed through the EU-Central Asia Strategy and the substantial EU cooperation programs in the region.
During the Dialogue, participants reportedly discussed the preparation of the forthcoming EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, which will provide an opportunity to advance inter-regional cooperation on common security challenges, connectivity, economic and trade, environment, water and climate, education, science and innovation issues, and people to people contacts, promoting deeper ties between the EU and Central Asia.
The High-Level Political and Security Dialogue is held regularly; the first Dialogue took place in 2013 in Brussels. The next round will be held in 2024.
