Dear friends,

The EU Special Representative for Central Asia post was established with an EU Foreign Affairs Council Mandate in 2005 and I have the honour to take up this duty since 1 March 2025.

European Union

Having served as the Head of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan from 2016 to 2020, I have already had the privilege to experience the warmth and hospitality of Central Asian people, including during my travels in the region. Central Asia holds a special place in my heart and I am excited to build on those personal connections. Our regions have a longstanding and close relationship, based upon strong mutual interests. Our cooperation is as strong as ever, even more so since the adoption of the EU Central Asia Strategy in 2019 and the Joint Roadmap in 2023. I am looking forward to the first ever EU – Central Asia Summit in April 2025.

My regional mandate will focus on the EU’s continued and comprehensive cooperation with the countries in the region guided by our common values. I will continue work with Central Asian Governments and civil society representatives for resilience, addressing security challenges, environmental issues, and promoting human rights and democracy. My focus will also be our cooperation for prosperity by promoting intra-regional trade, sustainable connectivity, and supporting economic diversification and private sector development. I aim to support and encourage intra-regional cooperation among Central Asian countries. I will carry out these tasks in close cooperation with the High Representative and EU Delegations in the region, with EU Institutions and services, as well as through coordination with relevant partners and international organisations.

European Union

In this fascinating work, I have a knowledgeable and dedicated team of three political advisers, an assistant, an administrative and finance officer, and a trainee supporting me.

A few words about myself. I am a Latvian Diplomat, and in addition to my assignment with EU delegation in Tashkent, I have served as the Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU and as the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom, as well as to France. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riga, I have served as Political Director and most recently led the Policy Planning Unit.

I invite you to learn more about my work and the engagement on social media (@EUSR_CA).

Eduards Stiprais,

EU Special Representative for Central Asia