Central Asia is of growing strategic importance to Europe. Historically and culturally the region has close relations with the European continent and it is also the link between Europe and Asia. The states of Central Asia are also able to provide crucial support for the international efforts to bring about lasting peace in Afghanistan, to combat the transit of drugs and to contain religious extremism.
For its part, the EU can do much to help foster regional development in Central Asia. Possible areas of cooperation include the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, education, internal security, conflict prevention, good governance, human rights policy, as well as climate and environmental issues.
There are also ever more opportunities in the field of economic cooperation: some five per cent of the world's energy reserves are to be found in the Caspian Sea region and in Central Asia. The Central Asian region is therefore also of strategic importance to Europe's long-term energy supply.
The planned Central Asia strategy is part of the European Union's overarching efforts to further develop its relations with countries participating in the European Neighbourhood Policy as well as with Russia. In this connection, the states of Central Asia have voiced their express wish for more intensive relations with the EU.
The European Union delegation will by led by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He will be accompanied by EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the Special Representative for Central Asia, Pierre Morel. The participating Central Asian states are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Schedule
Tuesday, 27 March 2007
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Further information can be found at http://www.eu2007.de
