EUROPEAN
COMMISSIONHIGH REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE UNION FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND
SECURITY POLICY

Brussels, 15.5.2019
JOIN(2019) 9 final

JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE
COUNCIL
The EU and Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Stronger Partnership

EN

EN

Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council
The EU and Central Asia: New Opportunities for a Stronger Partnership
INTRODUCTION
The European Union (EU) and the five countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) have a longstanding relationship based upon strong
mutual interests.
The EU Strategy on Central Asia of 20071 helped the EU and Central Asia to reach an unprecedented
level of cooperation. Central Asia's strategic geographical location at the crossroads of Europe
and Asia, its share in EU energy imports and the market potential of seventy million inhabitants,
as well as the EU's interest in regional security, have made Central Asia an increasingly importantpartner for the EU.
Some of today's developments in Central Asia have further opened up new opportunities for taking
the EU-Central Asia partnership forward. Reform processes in the region have triggered calls forpolitical recognition and support for modernisation from the EU. The new momentum in regional
cooperation, illustrated by the first informal Summit of Central Asian leaders of March 2018 in
Astana, has enhanced the relevance of the EU's experience in crafting cooperative solutions tocommon challenges. Renewed efforts to promote Euro-Asian connectivity have increased interest for
the EU's approach to sustainable connectivity. Stronger cooperation between Central Asia andAfghanistan has set new parameters for the EU's own efforts to promote peace in the country. And the
new ambition expressed by some Central Asian states to play a more active role in global andregional affairs is increasing the potential for cooperation with the EU on common objectives.
EU engagement in the region can build upon significant assets. The countries of Central Asia cantrust the EU as a leading donor and committed partner in their reform and economic transition process,a leading supporter of their integration in the world trading system, a source of quality investment andstate-of-the-art technologies, and a natural supporter of their regional cooperation efforts.
This Joint Communication aims to forge a stronger, modern and non-exclusive partnership withthe countries of Central Asia so that the region develops as a sustainable, more resilient,prosperous, and closely interconnected economic and political space. It will build upon the lessons
learnt from EU engagement in the region, take into consideration other relevant strategies including
the Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy2, the New European
Consensus on Development3, the EU Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia4 and EU Strategy on
Afghanistan5, and be guided by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development6.

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The EU and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership, 10113/07 of 31 May 2007.
Shared vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe. A Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and
Security Policy, June 2016.
New European Consensus on Development, ̒ Our world, our dignity, our future ̓, OJ 2017/C 210/01 of 30
June 2017.
Connecting Europe and Asia – Building blocks for an EU Strategy – Council conclusions, 13097/18 of 15
October 2018.
Afghanistan – Council conclusions, 13098/17 of 16 October 2017.
Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Resolution adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015.

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The EU Strategy will focus on three interconnected and mutually reinforcing priorities:
 Partnering for Resilience
The EU will partner with Central Asian countries in anticipating and addressing the challenges
affecting their socio-economic goals and security and enhancing their ability to embrace reform
and modernisation. It will promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, intensify
cooperation on implementing the Paris climate commitments and tackling trans-regional
environmental challenges to turn them into opportunities, and step up cooperation on migration.
 Partnering for Prosperity
The EU will partner with Central Asian countries in unlocking their significant growth potential
by fostering the development of a competitive private sector and promoting a sound and open
investment environment. It will cooperate in the development of skills, research and innovation,with special attention for youth. It will work to address structural constraints on intra-regional
trade and investment, support remaining Central Asian states' accession to the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) and promote sustainable connectivity.
 Working Better Together
The EU will work together with the countries of Central Asia to strengthen the architecture of thepartnership, intensifying political dialogue and opening up space for civil society participation. It
will remain engaged as a leading development partner for the region. It will strengthen public
diplomacy to underline the benefits of the partnership to the region and its citizens.
While respecting the aspirations and interests of each of its Central Asian partners, as well as
maintaining the need to differentiate between specific country situations, the EU will seek to deepen
its engagement with those Central Asian countries willing and able to intensify relations. The EU willseek to work with third countries and international organisations where such broader involvement
would contribute to the general objectives of the EU and this Strategy. The new-generation bilateral
Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs), which the EU has concluded andwhich it might conclude with individual countries of Central Asia7, will remain a cornerstone of EU
engagement. This Joint Communication aims to mobilise the broad set of EU policies andinstruments, which will be used to take the EU-Central Asia partnership to the next level, and will
also guide the programming of EU development cooperation and assistance.
***
Cross-cutting Priority: Investing in Regional Cooperation within Central Asia
The EU has a strong interest in seeing Central Asia develop as a region of rules-based cooperationand connectivity rather than of competition and rivalry. The EU is determined to invest in the newopportunities and growing potential for cooperation within and with the region as a whole.
Regional cooperation should allow Central Asian states to better manage their interdependence,
address their vulnerabilities and shared concerns, unlock their economic growth potential, increase
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The EU has signed an EPCA with Kazakhstan. EPCA negotiations are underway with Kyrgyzstan andUzbekistan. Tajikistan has expressed interest in engaging in EPCA negotiations. EPCAs create a framework
which is not exclusive to participation in other existing cooperation initiatives, such as Free Trade
Agreements and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are members.

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influence in international affairs and preserve their independence and identities. While it belongs toCentral Asians to identify ways to advance voluntary forms of regional cooperation at their own
pace, the EU will support these processes, based upon its own experience of the benefits which
integration mechanisms and greater connectivity can bring.
EU-Central Asia dialogues and EU-funded regional programmes will contribute to promoting
cooperative solutions at the regional level in areas such as the environment, water, climate change
and sustainable energy; education; the rule of law; sustainable connectivity; drugs policy; security
and the prevention of radicalisation; border management and intra-regional trade facilitation.
Whenever useful for the EU and Central Asia, and depending on issues, dialogue and cooperation
programmes with Central Asian states could extend to neighbouring states, such as countries of
the Eastern Partnership, Afghanistan and others. Central Asia and Afghanistan have become
increasingly relevant to each other given their common interest in security and stability, water
management and building effective connectivity links. Integrating Afghanistan as appropriate inrelevant EU-Central Asia dialogue meetings and regional programmes, and supporting moretrilateral cooperation projects with Afghan and Central Asian partners, will therefore remain apriority.
1.

PARTNERING FOR RESILIENCE

It is in the strategic interest of the EU to strengthen the resilience of Central Asia, of its states andsocieties. This requires reinforcing their ability to anticipate and withstand external and internalpressures, to embrace reform, and to address the challenges stemming from globalisation, rapid
population growth, climate change and environmental degradation, pressure on water and energy
resources, labour migration and new security threats. Given the significant differences between theCentral Asian countries in their socio-economic development stages and models, the EU will focus on
the most acute vulnerabilities, building on existing strengths and concentrating efforts on those areas
where it can make a difference. Promoting relevant opportunities for the increasingly connected andaspirational young population of Central Asia and empowering women and girls will remain key
priorities for the EU.
1.1.

Promoting Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law

Consolidating democratic institutions, empowering citizens and establishing more inclusive politicaland economic governance structures, promoting the rule of law, strengthening the accountability of
public institutions and ensuring respect for human rights are key conditions for the success of thesustainable development of Central Asia. Respect for human rights will therefore remain an essential
element of the EU's bilateral relations with the countries of the region.
The EU will continue to promote respect for human rights in compliance with international
standards, with a focus on freedom of expression (including media pluralism), freedom of
association, women's rights, children's rights, the rights of minorities and fight against discrimination,and prevention and eradication of torture. The EU will also seek to build partnerships, for instance inthe context of the Good Human Rights Stories Initiative.
The EU will encourage Central Asian states to cooperate further with UN treaty bodies, agencies
and Special Procedures. It will promote cooperation in multilateral human rights fora such as the
UN Human Rights Council and Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. It will cooperate
towards the ratification and implementation of key international human rights and core labour
standards conventions and resolutions, using to that effect the Special Incentive Arrangement for3

Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP+) for eligible countries in the region. The EU
Member States' experience in the legal adjustments required to accede to the Rome Statute of theInternational Criminal Court could be beneficial for the Central Asian countries.
Civil society participation in public decision-making has a crucial role to play to ensure thesustainability of the modernisation processes underway in Central Asia. The EU will promote anenabling legal and political environment for civil society that allows human rights defenders,journalists and independent trade unionists and employers' organisations to operate freely and safely. It
will encourage dialogue and cooperation between civil society and administrations at all levels.
The EU will step up efforts to promote democracy, the rule of law and good governance, which arenecessary to make public institutions more responsive and accountable to their citizens as well as toattract foreign investment. The EU will remain engaged in promoting fair and transparent electoral
processes. It will enhance legal and judicial cooperation, including with the Council of Europe, topromote the independence and efficiency of justice systems. As corruption remains a widespread
concern in the region, the EU will make expertise available to the countries wishing to make thenecessary changes to their legislation and administrative systems and to strengthen their independent
oversight institutions.
Given its positive spill-over in many areas from counter-radicalisation to private sector development,
the EU will promote – including through the integration of the UN Agenda for Women, Peace andSecurity in the relevant aspects of EU cooperation – gender equality and empowering of womenand girls, whose potential to engage in social, economic and political life remains largely untapped in
the region. The Spotlight Initiative8 could play an important role in that respect.
Promoting decent work and respect for international labour standards will remain a priority. The
EU will help to consolidate the progress made in recent years towards compliance with thefundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and encourage theratification and implementation of ILO conventions on labour inspections, occupational health andsafety and working conditions. The EU will promote compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights.
Cooperation with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)9, including at
the local level, will be key in this respect. The EU will promote adherence to and implementation of
the principles and commitments of the OSCE; strengthen cooperation with the autonomous
institutions, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the High Commissioner
on National Minorities and the Representative on Freedom of the media; and encourage Central Asianstates to step up their own engagement with the OSCE and to support its field missions in the region.
Finally, the EU will reinforce cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment and with the ILO in the promotion of sound business environments and of the decent
work agenda.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Using regional programmes to support the sharing of experience in legal and judicial
reform, human rights, international labour standards, good governance, electoral reform
and women's empowerment between the EU and Central Asia, among Central Asians
themselves, and with countries of the Eastern Partnership
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The Spotlight Initiative is a joint EU-UN initiative which aims to eliminate violence against women and girls.
All countries of Central Asia are members of the OSCE.

4 Developing training opportunities on human rights and advocacy skills for civil society
activists and human rights defenders and promoting cross-border contacts among them in
the region, as well with their counterparts in the EU and Eastern Partnership countries
 Establishing a dedicated dialogue on labour standards and business and human rights

1.2.
Strengthening Cooperation on Border Management, Migration and Mobility, and in
addressing Common Security Challenges
The EU and Central Asia have been longstanding partners in security. Regular meetings of the EUCentral Asia High-level Political and Security Dialogue provide an opportunity for exchanging viewson broader security challenges and effective policy responses. The EU will promote an integrated
approach to cooperation in security with the region and intensify cooperation to address the main root
causes of insecurity such as poverty, social exclusion and marginalisation, limited politicalparticipation, institutional weaknesses, corruption and mismanagement of natural resources. In order
to contribute to sustainable human security, the EU will aim to engage with Central Asian countries on
the security sector and consider cooperation aimed at promoting its accountability and theeffectiveness of its reform.
Climate change and environmental degradation are potential threat multipliers. The EU will
therefore further integrate the link between the environment, climate and security in its policy
dialogue, conflict prevention, development and humanitarian actions and disaster risk reduction
strategies across Central Asia.
Terrorism and violent extremism remain a challenge in the EU as well as in Central Asia.
Cooperation in preventing violent extremism and radicalisation, financing of terrorism and addressing
the issue of returning terrorist fighters will remain a priority of the partnership, and will be developedwith the newly-established post of EU security and counterterrorism expert with regional competence
for Central Asia, and in cooperation with civil society and with continued attention for human rights.
The EU will promote exchange of good practice on the prevention of violent extremism, including
research on the drivers of violent extremism, preventive measures and counter-messaging. It will seek
to strengthen the resilience of the local communities towards violent extremism while respecting
human rights and the rule of law and being gender-sensitive, in line with the UN Action Plan on
Preventing Violent Extremism.
Building upon the lessons learnt from past programmes in the region, the EU will step up cooperation
with Central Asia on modern integrated border management, extending regional cooperation
efforts to Afghanistan. The EU will seek further ways to intensify cooperation with the region in thefight against organised crime, migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and trafficking in
illicit drugs. The EU will continue cooperating in the development of integrated and balanced drug
policies.
With the aim to improve the management of the migration and mobility within the Central Asian
region, and to create the conditions for enhanced people-to-people contacts between the citizens ofCentral Asian countries and those of the EU and other partner countries, strengthened cooperation will
focus on addressing irregular migration in full respect of human rights. This will imply cooperating
on border management, readmission of irregular migrants and the reintegration of the returnees,
addressing the root causes of irregular migration through promoting vocational training, decent
working conditions and quality jobs at home, supporting the legal channels of migration, and5

establishing effective legislation and systems to assist the victims of trafficking in human beings andthe persons in need of international protection.
To that end, the EU will encourage Central Asian countries to develop national migration policies, tocooperate at the regional level, and to cooperate on the multilateral governance of mobility andmigration, following the guiding principles of the United Nations. In parallel, the EU will alsoenhance its bilateral dialogue and cooperation on migration and mobility with the countries of Central
Asia, in particular in the framework of the EPCAs.
The EU will engage with Central Asian states to promote an open, free and secure cyberspace andenhance cybersecurity.
The EU will continue to cooperate with the region on non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction, export control of dual-use items, and nuclear safety and security, making full use of
the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centre of Excellence in Central
Asia. It will engage in closer dialogue with Central Asian states on crisis management andpeacekeeping.
It is also in the interest of the EU to continue monitoring developments in regional security structures
such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Collective Security Treaty Organisation.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Using the EU-Central Asia High-level Political and Security Dialogue and the newlyestablished post of EU security and counterterrorism expert with regional competence forCentral Asia to strengthen practical cooperation on a broader security agenda, including
security sector reform and governance, hybrid threats and the water/security nexus
 Holding ad hoc EU-Central Asia experts' meetings on the prevention of violent extremism
and counterterrorism to promote sharing of best practices and strengthening of crossborder cooperation in line with relevant international commitments
 Intensifying cooperation and synergies with the OSCE on preventing and counteringtransnational threats in Central Asia
 Continuing cooperation on drugs policy to further strengthen national policies in drug
demand reduction and address illegal drugs supply and related organised crime Sharing expertise on cyber security and hybrid threats, including the opportunity forCentral Asia to participate in the joint identification of hybrid threats as part of the EU's
Hybrid Risk Survey
 Strengthening cooperation on modern integrated border management, building uponlongstanding EU-Central Asia and EU-Afghanistan cooperation
 Enhancing dialogue and cooperation on migration and mobility in the framework of the
EPCAs and of the United Nations
1.3.

Enhancing Environmental, Climate and Water ResilienceCentral Asia is facing increasingly severe environmental challenges. The combined impact of climatechange, which has started to reduce water flow by shrinking the glaciers that feed Central Asian rivers,
and rapid population growth will exacerbate some of the region's environmental concerns, withpotential implications for economic development, security and migration.
The EU can help the region to turn these challenges into opportunities. As these challenges aretransboundary in nature and require mutual trust and cooperative solutions, the EU will continue topursue a regional approach to cooperation in the field of the environment, water and climate change.

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The EU will cooperate with its Central Asian partners on the implementation of the Paris Agreement
on Climate Change10 and the nationally determined contributions through concrete measures directed
towards climate change mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
The EU will support Central Asian countries in adopting high environmental standards and willencourage them to move away from linear production models to a circular economy in which thevalue of products is retained as long as possible, energy and resource efficiency is increased and waste
and emissions of carbon and pollutants are minimised. Such a shift to sustainable consumption andproduction can bring significant benefits to human health and quality of life, while helping to promoteeconomic diversification, creating new business opportunities and stimulating economic growth.
Building upon the region's potential in solar, wind and hydroelectric energy, the EU will encourage
Central Asia's reforms of the energy sector and transition to a low-carbon economy. Making
available EU technology and expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency and providing
advice on regulatory reforms should contribute to strengthening the region's energy resilience, helping
to meet its climate objectives and creating jobs and business opportunities on both sides.
The EU will also promote better environmental governance and support the capacity-building ofCentral Asian states to mainstream environmental concerns in other policies and public decisionmaking, especially through adequate assessments of environmental impacts. The EU will promote theenvironmental sustainability of investments in connectivity infrastructure and the accession of all
Central Asian countries to regional and global multilateral environmental agreements.
Sharing experience in the sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity protectionand ecological tourism can help to achieve a wide range of objectives such as rural development,
conservation of ecosystems and environmental awareness-raising.
In line with the EU's Council Conclusions on Water Diplomacy11, the promotion of a regional agenda
for water, peace and prosperity will remain a key priority in the region. The EU will continue toencourage mutually acceptable solutions to improve regional cooperation on the equitable
management of transboundary water resources, in concertation with the relevant UN agencies andother partners. It will promote accession to and implementation of the Water Convention of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe12, encourage cooperation around the Aral Sea and theimplementation of the Agreement on the legal status of the Caspian Sea13.
The EU will continue to foster cooperation with the region, including through the training of experts,
to promote integrated water resources management, reduce water waste, improve water quality, andmodernise infrastructures and promote modern agricultural irrigation systems.
As the region is particularly exposed to natural and man-made hazards, the EU will support nationaland regional efforts towards new policies and legislation in disaster risk reduction. The EU will also
make available its expertise in civil protection and emergency response in order to encourage a morestructural, regional approach to resilience and preparedness.

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Signed on 12 December 2015.
Water Diplomacy – Council conclusions, 13991/18 of 19 November 2018.
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, done at
Helsinki on 17 March 1992.
Signed on 12 August 2018 in Aktau.

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The EU will continue to cooperate in supporting environmental remediation measures to address thelegacy of toxic chemical and radioactive waste from past uranium mining in the region.
The EU will use its financial instruments, grants and guarantees, in particular those provided by theEuropean Investment Bank (EIB), and in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopment (EBRD) and other multilateral development banks, to mobilise public and inparticular private capital for environmental projects and environmentally sustainable economic
activities. The promotion of a sound regulatory framework will be of crucial importance to attract
private investment.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Strengthening inter-regional and intra-regional cooperation fora and mechanisms in thefield of the environment, water and climate change Developing sharing of experience and innovative financing to promote renewable energy
 Promoting scientific cooperation and research on water management as well as openaccess reliable data on climate and water that can inform effective policy Strengthening cooperation with the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive
Diplomacy in Regional Central Asia on the water and security nexus
 Supporting the sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems and theimplementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the future post-2020 Global
Biodiversity Framework
 Promoting sharing of experience and cooperation on the circular economy, in particularsustainable waste management systems and the fight against air pollution
2.

PARTNERING FOR PROSPERITY

An increasingly strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, a young population14, highliteracy rates and abundant natural resources provide Central Asia with significant growth anddevelopment potential. At the same time, there is an increasing recognition in the region of the need toadopt new economic development models and to diversify economies to meet the challenges andopportunities of globalisation. The EU will work with the countries of Central Asia to help produce
durable results, which will imply developing the private market, improving the investment climate,accelerating the transition towards a green and circular economy, reducing socio-economic
inequalities, investing in human capital and promoting decent work for all, unlocking the potential for
intra and inter-regional trade and promoting sustainable connectivity.
2.1.

Consolidating the Partnership for Economic Reform

The EU has a strong interest in supporting the transformation of the economies of Central Asia, which
are currently over-dependent on commodities or low value-added exports15 as well as migrant
remittances, into diversified and competitive private sector-driven economies which can create jobs,
integrate in regional and global value chains, and provide a level-playing field and opportunities for all
economic operators.
The EU will aim to encourage more sustainable and inclusive growth models in the region.
Economic reform and modernisation should bring benefits to the entire societies and contribute to
reduce inequalities as well as regional disparities and the rural-urban divide. The EU's experience inrural development, regional policy and cohesion will be particularly relevant to that end.
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Half the population of the region is under 20 years old and Central Asian economies need to absorb one
million new entrants on the labour market every year.
Hydrocarbons and minerals represented almost 60% of the region's total exports in 2018.

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The development of a competitive private sector and in particular of Small and Medium-sizedEnterprises (SMEs) will be a priority of EU engagement given the vital role that the private sector canplay in supporting economic growth, women empowerment, promoting decent work and combating
poverty. The EU will promote the development of capital markets and broadening of access to financefor SMEs, sound regulatory frameworks and fiscal policies as well as effective anti-corruption
policies. Private sector development will remain a key priority of the EU Investment Facility forCentral Asia.
As a leading source of private investment worldwide, the EU is particularly well placed to intensify
dialogue at the strategic level with the governments and business representatives of the region as wellas with international financial institutions to promote a sound, transparent, open, nondiscriminatory and predictable regulatory and policy environment for European economic
operators trading with or investing in Central Asia.
Support to private sector development and investment should focus as a priority on growth andemployment-generating sectors where the EU has particular expertise and comparative advantages
such as the agricultural sector and agri-business, the environment and water, energy, transport andsustainable tourism.
The EU will promote business-to-business dialogue and cooperation with Central Asia, including
among start-ups and business incubators. It will help to create bilateral and regional fora for businessto-business dialogue and cooperation such as European Chambers of Commerce in countries ofCentral Asia. The EU will aim to include Central Asian employers' and workers' associations into
dialogue on issues ranging from the investment climate to education, employability (including of
women and girls) and labour market reform.
As the availability of high-quality statistics is a pre-condition for developing efficient public policies,
the EU will continue to work on the development of the statistical systems of Central Asian countries.
As part of its regular bilateral consultations with the countries of Central Asia, the EU will strengthen
exchanges and cooperation on macro-economic reforms, financial, monetary and fiscal policies aswell as public finance management. It will promote debt management strategies and domestic bondmarkets and facilitate reforms of the monetary policy frameworks and financial system supervision.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Promoting improvements in the business and investment environment and supporting
private sector development, in particular small and medium size enterprises, through EUCentral Asia business-to-business dialogue and cooperation, sectoral dialogue andtechnical assistance Promoting twinnings to share know-how and build the capacity of Central Asian
administrations in key aspects of economic reforms
 Sharing know-how on the development of statistical systems

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2.2.

Facilitating Intra-regional and Inter-regional Trade and Investment

More needs to be done together to address the structural constraints which still limit the potential for
trade and investment between the EU and Central Asia16, boost intra-regional trade17 and investment,
and ensure Central Asia’s deeper integration into the global economy.
The EU will continue to encourage and support the accession to the WTO of all Central Asian states.
The implementation of WTO commitments will help Central Asian states to open up their economies,
strengthen their international competitiveness, integrate into global value chains and participate inshaping global economic governance. Creating a level-playing field and increasing confidence forbusiness in the region will include promoting accession to the Government Procurement Agreement(GPA) of the WTO.
Building upon its experience in regional integration mechanisms, the EU will support efforts tofacilitate intra-regional trade and investment in Central Asia, including by sharing experience andbest practices on addressing non-tariff barriers to trade and promoting regulatory convergence andharmonisation, for which integration in the International Standardisation Organisation andInternational Electrotechnical Commission-led international standardisation system and a solid quality
system have proven to be essential building blocks.
The EU will use the EPCAs and technical cooperation programmes to promote convergence orcompatibility with EU rules and technical international and European standards and to remove
technical barriers to trade. These efforts will facilitate reciprocal market access and create market
access opportunities for Central Asian economic operators at the global scale, as EU rules andstandards are recognised worldwide. Intensifying dialogue on sanitary and phytosanitary measures tostrengthen food safety systems in Central Asian countries would be beneficial to local consumers andbusiness and facilitate trade with the EU.
The EU will continue to cooperate with Central Asian states to improve reciprocal market access forgoods and services. The EU will step up efforts to help beneficiary countries of Central Asia to makebetter use of the unilateral preferential access to the EU market provided by the GSP and GSP+,
which can stimulate exports and economic diversification as well as better labour standards andworking conditions, and adequately complement EPCAs.
The EU will step up cooperation with Central Asia to promote compliance with internationalcustoms standards of the EU, the World Customs Organisation and the WTO to advance
simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures. The EU will strengthen cooperation with theregion to combat illicit trade, border and tax fraud, tax evasion and infringements to intellectual
property rights. It will promote further exchange of information to strengthen the fight against money
laundering, corruption and terrorism financing.
Based on its experience, the EU will continue to promote the usage and development of Geographical
Indications by Central Asian countries, which can help them to diversify their agricultural production
towards higher added value.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Intensifying the sharing of EU experience and best practices on addressing non-tariff
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In 2018, the EU ranked among the top five trade and investment partners of each Central Asian states but
trade with the region still represented less than one percent of total EU trade.
Intra-regional trade accounted for 5% of the region's total trade in 2018.

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barriers to trade and promoting regulatory convergence and harmonisation
 Supporting accession to the WTO and to the GPA, including through technical assistance Intensifying dialogue on sanitary and phytosanitary measures to strengthen food safetysystems
 Sharing experience regarding standardisation and quality infrastructure to facilitate
intraregional trade and trade with the EU
 Promoting the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures and supporting thedevelopment of cross-border e-commerce Stepping up technical cooperation towards better use of the unilateral preferential access to
the EU market provided by the GSP and GSP+ Sharing experience on Geographical Indications to help the diversification of agricultural
production
2.3.

Promoting Sustainable Connectivity

The development of Euro-Asian connectivity has the potential to bring significant benefits to Central
Asia through better infrastructure, economic diversification and integration in regional and global
value chains. The EU has a strong interest in the development of functioning trade corridors between
Europe and Asia as well as in ensuring that connectivity develops in a sustainable, open, inclusive andrules-based way, thus creating a suitable environment for sustainable investment and a level playing
field for business in Central Asia.
In line with its Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia18 and using existing frameworks ofcooperation, the EU will, where appropriate, establish partnerships on sustainable connectivity withcountries of Central Asia, following market principles, guaranteeing transparency and based oninternational standards. Cooperation in this area should mainly focus on transport, energy anddigital connections, as well as people-to-people contacts. It will help to bring sustainable benefits toCentral Asia beyond the advantages associated with their status as transit countries, and help Central
Asian countries to reach Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate targets.
The combination of European private investment and of the EU regional cooperation programmes
which have contributed to linking up Europe with its neighbourhood and Central Asia since the earlynineties have made the EU a key player in the promotion of Euro-Asian connectivity. Renewedinternational efforts in this field, including the extension of the Trans-European Networks-Transport(TEN-T) to the EU's neighbouring countries, China’s Belt and Road Initiative and other initiatives, cancreate significant opportunities to address the major needs of Central Asia.
The EU and Central Asian countries will step up cooperation and ensure synergies in planning fortransport connectivity and in laying down the necessary regulatory frameworks, including to connect
the well-developed TEN-T framework with networks in Central Asia, including through the Southern
Caucasus and to other regional networks19. This aims to achieve balanced and sustainable East-Westand North-South land transport connections, notably building upon the work of the Central AsianRegional Economic Cooperation. To achieve this objective, the EU could offer technical assistanceand could contribute to sustainable infrastructure development as appropriate to help its partners plan
their transport systems and ensure their interconnection. The EU will contribute to decarbonisation of18

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Connecting Europe and Asia – Building blocks for an EU Strategy – Council conclusions, 13097/18 of 15
October 2018.
Central Asian countries will be consulted on the Joint Study on Sustainable railway-based Comprehensive
Transport Corridors between Europe and China as determined in the framework of EU-China Connectivity
Platform.

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land transport by promoting electric mobility, whether on road or rail, and will pay due attention to
the development of air transport and civil aviation, including safety issues.
Further EU-Central Asia cooperation in border management, including strengthened cooperation onmodern integrated border management, as well as the promotion of compatible customs transit
systems will underpin efforts to develop connectivity in transport.
The EU will continue to focus on enhancing the role of Central Asia in contributing to the security ofenergy supply and diversification of suppliers, sources and routes of the EU, including assessing
the possibility to build the Trans-Caspian Pipeline. The EU will cooperate with Central Asia topromote the regulatory frameworks, technologies and skills required to lower the costs, develop
renewable energy sources and energy savings technologies and mobilise investment through blending
and other financial incentives. The EU will help to modernise electricity distribution through smart
and resilient decentralised grids and develop interconnections between countries, to spur regional
and inter-regional electricity trade.
The EU and Central Asia will enhance cooperation in the digital economy, with a focus on promoting
access to affordable, open and secure broadband connectivity and to digital infrastructure, including
adopting the necessary regulatory reforms; supporting the development and maintenance of highcapacity research and education networks; promoting digital literacy and skills; fostering digital
entrepreneurship and job creation; and developing areas such as e-Government and e-Education.
Given its cross-cutting nature, digitalisation will be a key aspect of EU cooperation with Central Asia
in areas such as integrated border management, public administration reform, trade, transport andenergy infrastructure as well as SME support. The EU will step up exchange of experience in theappropriate fora on freedom of the internet and the fight against disinformation.
Cooperation on the use of the Galileo satellite positioning navigation and timing services could
facilitate transport connectivity and provide applications for energy and telecommunication networks.
The EU will work closely together with third countries, regional organisations and international
financial institutions to promote sustainability and a level playing field in connectivity to pursue theshared interests of Central Asia and the EU. The EU will look for synergies with other key partners
involved in the promotion of Euro-Asian connectivity, including in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
process. The commitment of the EU to supporting sustainable connectivity projects should contributeto enhancing the overall quality of investment projects from other actors in the region.
The EU will use its financial instruments, grants and guarantees and EIB loans as well as work with
International Financial Institutions and multilateral development banks to mobilise public and inparticular private capital for sustainable connectivity projects in Central Asia.

12Specific initiatives in this area should include: Strengthening bilateral and inter-regional cooperation to ensure effective sustainable
connectivity
 Contributing to the development of transport corridors between the EU and Central Asia,
based on the extension of the TEN-T networks
 Intensifying bilateral dialogues under existing Memorandums of Understanding on Energy
Cooperation and organising as appropriate ad hoc regional conferences on energy
 Using innovative financing and blending to further encourage green investment, inparticular in renewable energy and energy efficiency
 Using EU instruments (such as grants, blending and guarantees) as well as intensifying
consultations with international financial organisations and other relevant actors tounderpin sustainable connectivity projects
2.4.

Investing in Youth, Education, Innovation and Culture

The development of skills will be key to Central Asia's competitiveness and social cohesion.
Promoting quality education, employability and decent job opportunities for the young population andwomen of Central Asia should help the region to meet the demands of rapidly changing technologies
and provide the skilled workforce required to pursue economic diversification and attract foreign
investors. Providing quality education and jobs, including in rural areas, including for girls andwomen, will remain a key condition to prevent the emigration of skilled workforce as well asradicalisation and violent extremism.
The EU will support inter and intra-regional cooperation to build capacity and to increase the qualityof education, higher education and vocational education and training. It will promote synergies
between education systems and the labour market as well as digital education.
The EU can use the Erasmus+ programme to help Central Asian universities to modernise and meet
the targets of the Bologna process on higher education and Torino principles on vocational
education and training. The EU should seek to develop European studies in Central Asianuniversities. EU Member States’ universities should be encouraged to establish more partnerships
and branches with Central Asian universities as well as develop language training in the region.
The EU will explore the possibility to help Central Asia to develop a regional higher education area,
drawing from the example of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This would allow thecountries of the region to modernise their higher education systems, make them compatible with eachother while strengthening their quality assurance and recognition mechanisms.
The EU will strengthen cooperation on vocational education and training, in collaboration with theEuropean Training Foundation, to promote the employability of young people and of adults in alifelong learning perspective, to respond to the needs of the transforming economies of Central Asiaand of European investors in the region.
EU cooperation with Central Asia in research and innovation can help to tackle more effectively theregion's challenges while enhancing people-to-people contacts. Exchanging know-how and innovativetechnologies in addressing climate, water and environmental challenges as well as food security andclean and renewable energy would help to advance regional cooperation by informing policies withsound, reliable and accessible evidence. Strengthening research cooperation in agriculture, health,green transport and sustainable urban development would also be mutually beneficial. EU and Central
Asian universities and research organisations should further promote researchers’ mobility and staff
exchanges including through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
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In line with the Strategy on Culture in the EU’s External Relations20, and building upon Central Asia’scultural heritage of the “Silk Road” corridor, the EU will develop cultural cooperation with theregion to promote partnerships, co-productions and exchanges in the fields of cultural and creative
industries, inter-cultural dialogue and cultural heritage preservation. The EU will step up work with
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and leading European cultural
institutions to that end. The EU will promote the mobility of artists and culture professionals throughexchanges, training and residencies, while mobility and exchanges in sport could also be encouraged.
The EU will support research on Central Asia and on EU-Central Asia relations and promote more
opportunities for interaction between researchers and think-tankers from the EU and Central Asia.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Increasing the number and diversifying the profile of Central Asian beneficiaries of the
Horizon, Erasmus+ and Marie Skłodowska-Curie programmes
 Increasing inter- and intra-regional research and innovation cooperation in the areas ofwater, food and the environment
 Stimulating intra-regional and international mobility of students, staff and researchers, aswell as learners and trainers in vocational education and training Helping Central Asia to develop a regional cooperation scheme inspired from the EHEA Establishing a dialogue and promoting exchange of best practices on youth employability,
women empowerment and employment policies
 Promoting a stronger dialogue between EU, Central Asian authorities, businessorganisations and social partners on skills gaps and labour market modernisation
3.

WORKING BETTER TOGETHERThe EU will aim to promote a coherent approach to Central Asia, making sure that sectoral policies
help to address increasingly interlinked challenges. The new EU Strategy should be implemented
jointly by EU institutions and Member States and more synergies should be established between theirrespective strengths and resources.
3.1.
Strengthening the Architecture of the Partnership and Engaging Civil Societies andParliaments
The current institutional set up of the inter-regional dialogue consists of the annual EU-Central Asia
Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs andSecurity Policy/Vice-President of the Commission representing the EU, and the annual EU-Central
Asia High-level Political and Security Dialogue held at vice-ministerial level.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of theCommission and Central Asian Foreign Ministers should also meet informally, whenever necessary,on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA), meetingsof the OSCE Ministerial Council and other international meetings and conferences.
To complement this, ad hoc EU-Central Asia Senior Officials’ Meetings could be considered.

20

Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council "Towards an EU strategy for international
cultural relations", JOIN(2016) 29 final of 8 June 2016.

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The institutional framework for bilateral relations with countries of Central Asia will bestrengthened as EPCAs are concluded and enter into force, with regular dialogues on human rights
complementing regular meetings at ministerial and senior official level.
As the EU and Central Asia share the same commitment to international law and a rules-based global
order with the UN at its core, the EU will enhance cooperation in multilateral and regional fora.
Given the constructive role that the European Parliament has played in enriching the common agendaof the EU-Central Asia partnership, further inter-parliamentary dialogue should be encouraged,
including through regular visits. The EU will aim to organise more high-level visits to the region.
The EU will also intensify efforts to promote closer engagement with civil society, think tanks, local
governments, the business sector, social partners, cultural organisations, academics and youth.
Civil society consultation will be an important aspect of the programming of EU development
cooperation, which will seek to reinforce the ability of civil society to promote government
accountability and transparency.
The annual EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting could be complemented by meetings of an informal"EU-Central Asia Forum" bringing together representatives of civil society, academics and thinktankers as well as officials from the EU and Central Asia. These meetings would allow civil societies
to contribute to the development of the EU-Central Asia partnership and increase its visibility.
The EU will intensify consultations on Central Asian affairs with like-minded and other relevant
partners to develop mutual understanding and cooperation in areas where interests converge.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Holding ad hoc senior officials' meetings in-between the regular meetings of the EUCentral Asia High-level Political and Security Dialogue and Ministerial meetings
 Organising informal ministerial consultations on the side-lines of UNGA and developing
common understanding and convergence of positions in the UN and other multilateral fora
 Intensifying consultations on Central Asian affairs as appropriate with third-partners
 Involving civil society further in the development of the EU-Central Asia partnership,including by establishing an informal "EU-Central Asia Forum" Encouraging more frequent inter-parliamentary contacts and visits

3.2.

Cooperating for High Impact

The EU and its Member States have been a leading development cooperation partner for Central Asia
in the last decade21. The EU will continue to use available financial instruments to support the region
and help meet the challenges and maximise the opportunities of the EU-Central Asia partnership. The
new EU Strategy for Central Asia will guide the EU’s cooperation with the region in the coming
years. Meeting commitments under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
will be a key element of EU engagement. Dialogue with civil society and local authorities will also
contribute to the definition of EU priorities for Central Asia. More synergy with Member States’
policies towards the region, including development cooperation will be required.
Development cooperation alone will not allow achieving the SDGs , and it will need to be used as acatalyst to attract private capital for growth. The EU should make the best possible use of its wider
21

The EU has allocated €1.1 billion to development cooperation with Central Asia under the budget cycle
2014-2020.

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development assistance toolbox in the region, including innovative modalities of cooperation such as
twinning and a greater focus on investment. EPCAs will provide opportunities for an intensified
policy dialogue with Central Asian countries in a wide range of sectors that will contribute toachieving the SDGs.
Cooperation with International Financial Institutions will continue to play an important role inleveraging public and private financing for sustainable development in Central Asia.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Organising EU-Central Asia policy dialogues in specific sectors and supporting these
dialogues with twinning operations
 Intensifying, where appropriate, cooperation with International Financial Institutions

3.3.

Raising the Profile of the PartnershipTo raise the profile of the EU in Central Asia, the EU and its Member States need to develop a more
dynamic and better-targeted communication strategy, presenting the rationale behind its engagement
and underlining the opportunities, which the EU-Central Asia partnership can bring to the region andto its citizens. This will notably require developing common messages and identifying communication
opportunities, including through social media and other new communication technologies, for theattention of the young people of the region, opinion-makers, social media influencers, civil society,academics and the media at large.
Specific initiatives in this area should include: Developing more systematic common messaging and enhancing the use of web portals andof the social media to highlight the tangible benefits of EU engagement in the region***
The Council and the European Parliament are invited to endorse the approach and actions presented inthis Joint Communication.

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