Head of the Central Asia and Caucasus Division of the German Foreign Office shares pillars of the EUs strategy on Central Asia Rolf Schulze made a speech on the EU strategy on Central Asia at a regional meeting.

As earlier reported, two-day regional meeting entitled "Strengthening partnerships for Human Development in Central Asia" opened in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on 29 May.

The following is full text of Schulze’s speech:

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to have the opportunity to talk about cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia today. This conference comes at the right moment. Europe and Central Asia are today more than ever aware of the strategic importance of their relationship. My gratitude goes to UNDP for having organized this meeting and for having invited me as representative of the German EU Presidency.

My gratitude also goes to the Government of Kyrgyzstan for hosting this conference. That fact that this conference takes place in Bishkek is no coincidence. It shows that the international community, that the European Union and the German Presidency stand by the side of Kyrgyzstan and that we support political transformation. Interaction of government and opposition, interaction of the administration and parliament, a lively, peaceful debate involving civil society are characteristics of a vivid democracy. We hope that Kyrgyzstan will be spear-heading this development in Central Asia.

My gratitude also goes to my fellow-representatives of the German government of the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) who are admirably implementing economic cooperation with our Central Asian partners. Cooperation in Central Asia between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development has been excellent over the last couple of years.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The German EU Presidency in the first half of 2007 has been used to provide impetus for more intensive cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia. Our goal is that, by the end of our Presidency, political guidelines for closer cooperation between the EU and Central Asia in the form of an EU strategy for Central Asia will be adopted by the European Council in June 2007.

Last week, negotiations on the Strategy have been finalized in Brussels. We are confident that in a few weeks time this document will be approved by heads of State and Government.

Central Asian states have made valuable contributions to the deliberations on this Strategy paper. We are grateful for the input of the Government of Kyrgyzstan which we received end of last year. We have carefully studied the Kyrgyzs proposals, in particular with regard to enhanced economic cooperation. Important input was also received at the first ever Foreign Ministers meeting between the EU Troika and all five Central Asian states on 28th March, 2007.

This meeting put our relationship on a new footing. There was agreement in general to have from now on regular Ministerial meetings of this kind instead of the previous ad-hoc arrangements. The incoming Portuguese Presidency is planning for the next Ministerial meeting in the margins of the General Assembly of the UN in autumn this year.

The aim of the European Union is not to embark on a new Great Game or to start a competition for political influence with other major players in the region. Rather, we would like to establish a true partnership, and to cooperate transparently with our partners.

Today I want to take the opportunity to share some of our considerations to date.

The EU and Central Asia

Central Asia has a centuries-old tradition of bringing Europe and Asia together. It lies at a strategically important intersection between the two continents. The Central Asian States of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have known considerable evolution in political and economic transformation since attaining independence. They have established statehood, safeguarded multi-ethnic understanding and interreligious communication. By joining the OSCE, they subscribed to the Organization’s values, standards and commitments. By signing the United Nations Millennium Declaration they set themselves ambitious goals.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the time has come for a new partnership between the EU and Central Asian States in a globalised world. The common goal of achieving stability and prosperity by means of peaceful inter-action makes Europe and Central Asia partners for increased cooperation.

The strong EU commitment towards its Eastern neighbours within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy will also bring Europe and Central Asia closer to each other, both in terms of political cooperation and economic development.

The development and consolidation of stable, just and open societies, adhering to international norms, is essential to bring the partnership between the European Union and Central Asian States to full fruition. Good governance, the rule of law, human rights, democratisation, education and training are key areas where the EU is willing to share experience and expertise. The EU can offer experience in regional integration leading to political stability and prosperity.

Lessons learnt from the political and economic transformation of Central and Eastern Europe can also be offered. With their rich traditions and centuries-old exchanges, the EU and Central Asia can contribute actively to the dialogue between civilisations.

Many challenges facing the globalised world affect Europe and Central Asia alike, and warrant a common response. Security questions and regional economic development require close cooperation of the EU with each Central Asian state, taking into account their geographical location, in particular with respect to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. This applies i.a. to developments in the areas of border management, migration, the fight against organized crime and international terrorism, as well as human, drugs, and arms trafficking.

The dependency of the EU on external energy sources and the need for a diversified energy supply policy in order to increase energy security open further perspectives for cooperation between the EU and Central Asia. EU efforts to strengthen local energy markets will help to improve investment conditions, increase energy production and efficiency in Central Asia and diversify energy supply and distribution in the region.

Through the Strategy and the Commission’s assistance programme for the period of 2007-2013, the EU wiil define the priorities for its cooperation with each Central Asian state according to its specific needs, requirements and performance, including human rights, good governance, democracy and social development. Within the new external assistance instruments based on the EU budget 2007-2013 the EU has planned to double the financial means for assisting Central Asian States.

Building upon and complementing the Commission’s assistance programme, Member States of the EU are prepared to study specific bilateral partnership and twinning programmes with individual Central Asian States as well as programmes with a regional dimension based on an adequate and coordinated needs-assessment. Member States will support the Community’s programmes to contribute to a more coherent and visible EU policy in the region.

In order to address issues of particular importance, the EU will within the framework of the Strategy:

•Establish a regular regional political dialogue at Foreign Minister level;

•Start an "European Education Initiative" and support Central Asian countries in the development of an "e-silk-highway";

•Start an "EU Rule of Law Initiative";

•Establish a regular, result-oriented "Human Rights Dialogue" with each of the Central Asian States;

•Conduct a regular energy dialogue with Central Asian States.

In implementing the goals and objectives laid down in this Strategy, the EU will be guided by the principles of equal dialogue, transparency and result orientation. It will seek close cooperation with all neighbouring countries of Central Asia. EU strategic interests: Security and stability.

The EU has a strong interest in a peaceful, democratic and economically prosperous Central Asia. These aims are interrelated. The aim of the EU Strategy is therefore to actively cooperate with the Central Asian States in reaching these goals as well as to contribute to safeguarding peace and prosperity in neighbouring countries.

The Strategy builds on the progress which the Central Asian States have themselves made since attaining independence. It takes account of their common aspects as well as specific national contexts and requirements.

It also builds on the results obtained under the implementation of the various Partnership and Cooperation Agreements, EU assistance programmes and other initiatives taken by the EU to support the states of Central Asia.

The Strategy is based upon common interests of the EU and the states of Central Asia. To align expectations of Central Asian partners with those of the EU will be a mutually beneficial and reinforcing process.

The EU has an interest in security and stability as well as in adherence to human rights and the rule of law in Central Asian States because:

•Strategic, political and economic developments as well as increasing trans-regional challenges in Central Asia impact directly or indirectly on EU interests;

•With EU enlargement, the inclusion of the Southern Caucasus into the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Black Sea Synergy Initiative, Central Asia and the EU are moving closer together;

•Significant energy resources in Central Asia and the region’s aim to diversify trade partners and supply routes can help meet EU energy security and supply needs.

The EU strongly believes that strengthening the commitment of Central Asian States to international law, the rule of law, human rights and democratic values, as well as to a market economy will promote security and stability in Central Asia, thus making the countries of the region reliable partners for the EU with shared common interests and goals.

Instruments

In order to intensify cooperation with Central Asian States, the EU will make full use of the potential of Partnership and Cooperation Agreements, Commission and Member States programmes, cooperation frameworks such as the Baku Initiative and political dialogue, using the variety of CFSP instruments. Cooperation with the UN, in particular the ECE, the OSCE, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, NATO, international financial institutions and with other regional organisations and fora will be enhanced. The EUSR, EU Member State embassies and the European Commission delegations should seek to strengthen cooperation with the OSCE. In addition, the EU seeks to put into place, together with Central Asian States, new forms of cooperation, such as a regular bilateral human rights dialogue.

The EUSR and the Commission as well as Member States play an important role in implementing this Strategy. The EUSR shall, on behalf of the High Representative and in accordance with his mandate, together with the Commission and the Presidency, and without prejudice to Community competence, monitor the implementation process, make recommendations and report to relevant Council bodies on a regular basis.

Twinning and seconding staff between EU and Central Asian administrations or companies is an essential part of EU co-operation with Central Asia in order to introduce EU-wide best practices in connection with Community legislation. This policy will be intensified based on the experience gained.

Public-private partnership initiatives as well as bilateral instruments and Member State programmes can play an important role in increasing the EU’s commitment in Central Asia.

Interaction with international financial institutions will be strengthened, including the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The European Investment Bank (EIB) should play an important role in financing projects of interest to the EU in Central Asia.

Bilateral and regional cooperation

The EU Strategy will aim at a balanced bilateral and regional approach. The EU will balance policy approaches in Central Asia according to the differing needs of every country and to the performance of each country. The EU will foster regional cooperation among Central Asian States and between Central Asian States and other regions.

Bilateral cooperation will be of special importance. It will be strengthened to respond adequately to individual proposals brought forward by each of the five Central Asian States. It is essential to cooperate bilaterally on issues such as human rights, economic diversification, energy and other sectoral issues, including youth and education. The intensity of the cooperation will reflect the commitment to transition and reform of each country.

Areas that require a tailored bilateral approach with the EU are:

- Training and education: the lack of qualified teachers and tutors is a serious problem in all five Central Asian countries, heightened by the fact that the majority of people in these societies is under the age of 26. The loss of knowledge due to the migration of the elite to Russia and Europe has exacerbated the situation still further. Training and education therefore pose a particular challenge for the EU and therefore we are able to offer concrete programmes.

- The rule of law: the Central Asian countries have hardly any democratic traditions. Their state structures are organized along post-Soviet lines and their societies still predominantly structured according to families and clans. Against this backdrop the EU ought to focus on the rule of law and good governance.

- Human rights: the observance of minimum human rights standards is a priority for the EU. The EU should therefore enter into regular structured dialogue on human rights with each one of the five Central Asian countries.

We are currently in the process of drafting the fundamentals for this form of institutionalized dialogue with Uzbekistan.

A regional approach is suitable for tackling common regional challenges such as organised crime, human, drugs and arms trafficking, terrorism and nonproliferation issues, inter-cultural dialogue, energy, environmental pollution, water management, migration as well as border management and transport infrastructure. In this regard the EU will cooperate with international financial institutions, multilateral and regional organisations and institutions.

The EU is prepared to enter into an open and constructive dialogue with regional organisations in Central Asia and to establish regular ad hoc contacts i.a. with EURASEC, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), CICA, CSTO, CAREC and CARICC.

Ladies and gentlemen,

These are some components of the forthcoming EU strategy for Central Asia. We want the proceedings to be characterized by transparency and a spirit of partnership, and above all to include our friends and allies.

Thank you for your attention.