"Building a new partnership between the European Union and Central Asia"

Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy

Within the space of a year, the European Union has come to see Central Asia and its five constituent countries in a fresh light. Our involvement is not new; when those countries emerged on the international scene, 16 years ago, a number of European countries entered into permanent dialogue with them. The European Commission has set in hand several substantial programmes in key areas for the region: energy, transport, security and poverty relief. However, those welcome long term initiatives were as yet first steps, needing to be brought into a common approach.

That has now been done with the adoption on 23 June 2007 by the European Council, i.e. the 27 Heads of State or Government, of a "European Union strategy for Central Asia".

The strategy singles out three major areas for a long term partnership: security, stability and development, reflecting the shared interests of the European Union and Central Asia. Extensive consultations with the authorities in the region's five countries served to identify five strands of cooperation: human rights, rule of law, good governance and democratisation; investment for the future in youth and education; promotion of economic development, trade and investment; strengthening of energy and transport links; environment and water; tackling common threats and challenges. Realising that each of the Central Asian countries is specific in nature and legitimately anxious to assert its independence, the European Union plans to carry out three quarters of its projects by way of bilateral cooperation. The remainder will involve regional operations for which a collective effort is essential, in particular on combating trafficking, on transport and on the environment.

My present trip to the region forms part of that strategy. It is designed to consolidate the partnership into which we are entering, by developing a high level dialogue on the situation in Central Asia and on joint responses to global threats (terrorism, extremism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings), in order to consolidate security, stability and development in the region. We can fully understand the Central Asian countries' wish to conduct a "multi vectorial" policy, each in its own way. By holding regular consultations at all levels, the European Union can contribute to the emergence of the Central Asian countries. At the same time, it stands ready to play its part in the establishment of common positions and balanced regional cooperation arrangements. In particular, we must regularly assess developments in the southern neighbours: Afghanistan and Iran.

When we raise the issue of rule of law, I am aware that the subject elicits questioning in some quarters. Let us be clear, the European Union is not setting out to lecture anyone, it has no hidden agenda and it realises that democracy always has to be built, making allowance for each people's own circumstances. It is merely working on the obvious historical basis that a long two way relationship has fostered contact between Central Asia and Europe Upon attaining independence, moreover, the Central Asian countries joined the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe; we thus share the same commitments and the same values. and given us a sense of cultural familiarity.

The European Union therefore firmly believes that, in building on foundations of democracy and human rights, as safeguards for peace on the continent, Central Asia is confirming its role as a pole of stability. Clearly, a gradual strengthening of the Central Asian countries' institutions is the best way of ensuring lasting economic and social development. That basic link between rule of law and economic performance, as pointed to in the landmark 1997 World Bank report, is of particular relevance for the region.

Through this renewed partnership, the European Union is holding out to the five Central Asian countries new options, greater freedom of choice and action and, ultimately, a more dynamic way into the globalisation process.