Central Asia’s nations and the European Union (EU) are determined to continue their strategic partnership by strengthening engagement and deepening the cooperation and connection between both regions. This was confirmed at the 19th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting that took place in Luxembourg on October 23. According to the European Commission, the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting, together – for the first time – with the 27 EU Member States’ Foreign Ministers. The Commission was represented by the Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen.
A joint communique released by the Foreign Ministers notes that the meeting participants reaffirmed the EU’s and Central Asian countries’ determination to uphold the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, particularly respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States.
The EU informed about the eleven packages of restrictive measures it has adopted so far and stressed the need to cooperate effectively on preventing circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia through Central Asian territories.
The Ministers endorsed the jointly prepared EU-Central Asia Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia.
