The reason why the EU is strengthening relations with the states in Putin’s “pocket”

The leaders of five former Soviet republics in Central Asia, a region rich in natural resources, recently participated in a summit with representatives from the European Union in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Together, the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan celebrated the emergence of a “new era”, promising a “strategic partnership” based on “mutual commitment” in their relations with the European Union, writes Le Figaro. At this first summit between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia, a strategic partnership was announced between the regions, which includes cooperation for the development of transport infrastructure, resource extraction, clean energy, and digital connectivity.Furthermore, the summit discussed a wide range of cooperation proposals, including the creation of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor – which will bypass Russia – with the aim of halving overland travel between Europe and Central Asia. As a good start to this new chapter of cooperation, the European Union has launched a €12 billion package for the Central Asian region under its Global Gateway investment program, announced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the summit in Samarkand.Protecting multilateralism
António Costa emphasized security as a top priority, given that threats are increasingly transnational. He appreciated the existing collaborations between the EU and Central Asia in the areas of border control, drug prevention, and counterterrorism, underlining the importance of a new dialogue to combat violent extremism.In the face of the growing danger of disinformation, Costa reaffirmed the EU’s support for building regional resilience. He also condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine and called for continued international unity to support a just and lasting peace.”This summit is a clear example of the power of regional cooperation based on trust and how it can contribute to global stability,” Costa added. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a strong and future-oriented partnership with Central Asia.Read more HERE