WRITTEN QUESTION E-4080/00

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Cooperation agreements with the countries of Central Asia

Despite the hopes of economic and social development prevalent among the countries of Central Asia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, today, ten years after becoming independent, these countries are facing a profound crisis with no solution in sight. Recent reports in the New York Times point to the adverse trend of economic indicators for these countries, a rise in corruption and a lack of investment leading to high unemployment and poverty for large sections of society. Some years ago the European Union concluded cooperation agreements with the five countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan) aimed at fostering the economic development of these countries.

Can the Commission say what progress has been made in implementing these agreements?

Does it consider that this initiative has contributed to the economic development of the countries of Central Europe and, if so, to what extent?

Does it take the view that these agreements have proved a successful model for promoting the development of, and granting aid to, fledgling countries which it can use in future in other regions where the interests of the EU are at stake?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2001)

The partnership and cooperation agreements (PCAs) with three Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, entered into force on 1 July 1999. The consultation bodies (cooperation councils, cooperation committees and subcommittees, and parliamentary cooperation committees) provided for in these agreements have all been set up and have met one or more times in Europe or in the countries concerned. Implementing mechanisms (secretariats) are now operational. The fourth agreement, with Turkmenistan, has not yet been ratified so has not yet into entered into force. The interim agreement with Turkmenistan is not yet operational either as the opinion of the national parliament has yet to be formulated.

The countries of Central Asia attach great importance to relations with the EU. They always take an active part in the meetings. Their delegations are led by top politicians (prime minister, deputy prime minister or foreign affairs minister) and all government departments are involved in preparing the meetings, thus making for an effective exchange of information between the parties. The countries of Central Asia are very much interested in economic aspects (trade,

foreign investment, outside assistance) as this enables them to pursue their economic policies more easily and gear their economies to the new market conditions. The EU is often their leading trading partner, sometimes even ahead of the countries of the former Soviet Union.

The agreements reflect the progress made in the EU's bilateral relations these countries. They reflect the historical context (transition from the former Soviet Union to independent and modern structures) and the thoroughgoing changes in the societies of those countries with the switch from a socialist to a market economy and the adoption of democratic principles (free elections, respect for human rights and the rule of law). By putting in place a political dialogue, the agreements are thus geared to these conditions and fulfil this function in countries still in the throes of transition and in which reforms have yet to be completed or even started. They were designed solely for relations with the new independent states of the former Soviet Union.