EUSR`s Opening Remarks at the RoundTable “Thinking beyond pipelines, roads, and data cables: EU – Central Asia cooperation” organised by EUCAM, EED, and Cligendael Institute.
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First and foremost let me thank the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), the EUCAM programme, and the Clingendael Institute for the kind invitation.
This roundtable represents an opportunity to discuss EU-Central Asia relations just before our regional high-level meetings on levels of presidents and ministers.
These are also always important moments to look at our relations, to analyse them and to plan ahead on what we want to develop.
And it is always good when this comes from you here at the table and in the audience, the analysts and researchers.
To give new perspectives and ideas to the policy makers in Central Asia and in the EU.
For this reason, I already thank today’s panellists for their work and look forward to your presentations.
My mandate as the EU Special Representative for Central Asia just started in the beginning of this month and I look forward to working closely with our counterparts in the region to further develop our relations.
And I would also be interested in maintaining regular exchanges with researchers and think tanks based in Europe and Central Asia.
It is important to expand the networks between our two regions and reinforce research efforts.
For this reason, the organization of meetings like this one are very much appreciated.
As you might know, my mandate is regional, complementing the bilateral cooperation with all five Central Asian countries through our Delegations and including new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements.
I join this role in a time, when EU-Central Asia relations, but also the regional cooperation inside Central Asia have seen a strong improvement.
Regionally, I think we can see the developments in Kyrgyz-Tajik relations over the last two weeks as well as the planned trilateral summit in Khujand next week as a clear sign of the
improved cooperation in the region, where the countries work more strongly together for regional stability.
The regular Consultative Meetings of Leaders and the expanding number of topics covered are also indicative of this.
At the same time, we have also seen stronger cooperation between the European Union and the countries in Central Asia.
This is both in high-level meetings and in new agreements such as the Joint Roadmap for Deepening our Ties from 2023 adding to the 2019 EU Strategy. These documents set the steps and initiatives that guide our dialogue and cooperation.
Two of the key pillars of the 2019 Strategy additionally to regional cooperation are resilience and prosperity, aiming at developing stronger societies while deepening our bonds.
To do so it is important to tackle all relevant challenges faced by both our regions: and just to name two, human development and climate change represent clear examples.
Today, our engagement is a lot deeper: it is note-worthy that the first ever EU-Central Asia Summit will take place in two weeks, bringing the political dialogue with the region to another higher level.
As colleagues have analysed in the published articles, this includes closer work on a number of sectors, including connectivity and critical raw materials.
On connectivity we have both set up strong structures and started concrete projects: in our dedicated Team Europe Initiatives for Digitalisation, and on Water, Energy and Climate Change, As well as through our Global Gateway format on the Trans-Caspian Transport Network.
There is much that the EU and Central Asia can do together.
The EU is certainly a model of integration and cooperation.
Central Asia will follow its own cooperation path, but Europe does represent a natural partner.Bringing our societies closer together is a priority, and for this reason, connectivity is essential.
When we launched our work on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a central point was the need for a comprehensive, sustainable, rules-based and people-centred approach to connectivity.
The notion of more exchange and contact through connectivity is important.
And I think this need and feeling is mirrored in some of the analyses you published recently.
I also agree with you that the involvement of the civil society is necessary for a sustainable connectivity and a durable bond and that the transport work should create local advantages. I can assure you that the European Union is working in this sense.
Such projects require time and dedication – it is not the work of one moment or a short period, but we need cooperation over a long time.In 2024, trade along the Trans-Caspian route rose by 62%, reaching almost 4.5 million tonnes. These are undoubtedly positive numbers.
And I think that expanding trade and networks between our two regions also represent a launchpad to bring European and Central Asian citizens closer.
These growing connectivity projects do not stop at developing pipelines, trade routes, and cables, but open the path for a greater exchange between our societies.Just as the Silk Road was more than just a trade route, what the EU and Central Asia are building together is meant to connect people physically and culturally.
At the same time, we need to make sure that citizens are able to profit from and to sustain these sincere ties.
Especially the young generation – to quote a sentence from yout papers, it is certainly true that “Central Asia’s future will be shaped by its young people”.
Which is why we look into the area of education through our DARYA and Erasmus+ projects. With the aim to contribute to regional development, exchange, and joint training programs.
To conclude, I am thankful for the attention which you give to the relations between Central Asia and the EU and how we can develop them for the benefit of our citizens.
Do continue your research and considerations, also giving critical thoughts where needed.
I look forward to hearing more about these relevant topics by the authors themselves in the following discussion as well as to our exchanges in the future.
Thanks again.