The European Union is interested in strengthening relations with Central Asia.

On 24 November, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union, said following a meeting with five foreign affairs ministers of the region. She stated that cooperation is being strengthened in energy, integration and development spheres and the EU is interested in making the region more stable and resistant to external shocks.

The politician noted that the Central Asian countries should choose the regional interaction style regarding the sharing of water resources, improvement of border regimes and trade. In addition, she said that the European Union is ready to help establish cooperation in this direction.

“We have initiated the negotiation process on an expanded partnership and cooperation agreement between the European Union and Uzbekistan. Similar negotiations are underway with Kyrgyzstan. This agreement was signed with Kazakhstan in December 2015. Tajikistan reported that it would also like to begin negotiations on a new agreement with the EU. We plan to open our representative office in Turkmenistan next year,” Mogherini said.

In addition, it was decided to open a full-scale representative office of the European Union in all Central Asian countries.

https://24.kg/english/102188_EU_interested_in_strengthening_relations_with_Central_Asia/