EU - Central Asia strengthen relations

Sunday, June 4, 2023 | 08:19:06

250 views

The second EU-Central Asia Summit took place on June 2 in the city of Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan. The focus of the summit was to deepen Central Asia-EU relations.

Speaking at the second EU-Central Asia Summit, President of the European Council Charles Michel said that the EU proposes a sincere partnership with five countries in the region, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, former Soviet republics.

This is Mr. Charles Michel's second trip to Central Asia since February 2022.

The EU is the leading aid provider in Central Asia with 1.1 billion euros in the period 2014-2020. The EU is also the main investment partner of Central Asian countries, after the US, Russia and China.

According to observers, since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, the EU has paid increasing attention to Central Asian countries in order to lobby and lure them out of Russia’s sphere of influence. In fact, despite its declining influence, Russia continues to be a prominent country in the region.

The EU suspects that Central Asian countries are helping Russia evade Western sanctions, despite its denials. Moreover, Europe is also nervous about China’s growing presence there, while Türkiye, India and Iran are increasingly active in promoting relations and diplomacy with Central Asia.

On the other hand, East-West confrontation is increasing opportunities for Central Asian countries to enhance their international status, attract new sources of investment and strengthen security cooperation from new partners.

This weekend's meeting comes just two weeks after an unprecedented summit between the leaders of five Central Asian countries and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xi'an, China, which aims to put the region at the center of its "New Silk Road," a massive economic and infrastructure project.

Central Asia is becoming the focus of many international diplomatic movements. In addition to European and Chinese leaders, Turkish President Recep Erdogan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have also visited Central Asia in recent months.

According to vtv.vn

Source link