EU to boost ties with Central Asian countries

BRUSSELS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) and five Central Asian countries have vowed to boost their strategic partnership and deepen ties.

High-ranking officials from the Central Asian countries and the EU met in Luxembourg on Monday for the 19th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting.

"Today's meeting of foreign ministers confirms a new level of cooperation between our regions. In a world confronted with demanding challenges, but also new opportunities, we know that we can achieve more when we act together," said Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

A roadmap endorsed at the meeting underlined key areas for cooperation between the EU and the Central Asian countries. These include inter-regional political dialogue and cooperation, enhancing trade and economic ties, engaging on energy, climate neutral economy and connectivity, and addressing common security challenges.

The ministers said they also looked forward to intensifying cooperation on security and border management, as well as on the joint fight against terrorism and terrorism financing, and violent extremism.

The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as those of the EU member states.

Meanwhile, the first EU-Central Asia Summit is scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan during the second quarter of 2024.