Stability and security between Europe and Central Asia

The 12th annual session of the Dialogue between the European Union and Central Asian countries was held in Dushanbe. During the summit, Tajikistan agreed to conclude a wide-ranging partnership agreement with the EU, joining the processes underway in various forms in other countries in the region.

Dushanbe (AsiaNews) - The 12th annual session of the Dialogue between the European Union and Central Asian countries on political and security issues was held in Dushanbe. The EU delegation was led by the Secretary General of the European External Action Service, Swedish diplomat Olof Skoog, who then gave an extensive interview to Asia-Plus.

The ambassador said he was quite satisfied with the meeting, which this year also involved Tajikistan, previously more reluctant, on issues that ‘represent common strategic objectives’ such as regional stability and long-term sustainable development. The mere fact that this dialogue has been going on for 12 years, Skoog assures us, ‘testifies to how fruitful our cooperation is, which is becoming more intense every year.’

At the previous summit in Samarkand last April, the leaders of the countries concerned ‘had already raised the level of relations to a strategic partnership’, to which the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Estonia's Kaja Kallas, has been very committed, holding a series of visits and bilateral meetings in Central Asia. The meeting in Dushanbe confirmed mutual interest in addressing issues such as border management, the fight against terrorism and organised crime, and cooperation in the fields of water and energy.

Tajikistan has now agreed to conclude a wide-ranging partnership agreement with the EU, joining the processes underway in various forms in other countries in the region on economic development prospects, training and education, energy, sustainability and initiatives to tackle climate change, digital transformation and the rule of law.

This will attract many new investments, in fair competition with China, which this year became the country's largest trading partner, surpassing even Russia, which has always dominated the scene in these latitudes.

Olof Skoog states that “Central Asia continues to play a crucial role in relations between Europe and Asia”, which is why the EU is increasingly interested in discussing trade, transport and links at various levels with the countries in the region, considering this approach to be one of the most important priorities for all Europeans.

One of the most sensitive issues concerns respect for human rights and freedom of expression for individuals and the media in countries traditionally linked to very authoritarian regimes, and dialogue on these issues is also “evolving significantly”.

As the Swedish diplomat explains, on such fundamental issues, “we must be able to take an open and constructive approach, recognising progress without hiding concerns”, in a spirit of mutual respect and support for reformist forces in all areas of society, “both in Central Asia and in Europe itself”. This means supporting the principles of the rule of law, collaboration for an “inclusive administration” of all realities present in the societies of the various countries, and supporting independent media and civil society initiatives.

The vision of this dialogue between East and West extends over a landscape of long-term cooperation, as the EU representative concludes on a very optimistic note: “We want to help our partners achieve their goals, in a direction of greater justice, for a more open future rich in new common achievements”.

• Central Asia
• European Union
• EU
• security
• cooperation
• Dushanbe