EURACTIV reprint Latest blog post Josep Borrell, the head of EU foreign affairs, summarized his participation in the Central-South Asia Connectivity Conference held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 15 to 16.
Last week, I went to Tashkent to attend the Central-South Asia Connectivity Conference. This event brought together high-level participants from the region and other regions to discuss regional connectivity and security issues, as well as the situation in Afghanistan. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss how to work together to promote stability, security and prosperity in a region of increasing strategic importance to the EU.
Naturally, developments in and around Afghanistan have become the top priority of the agenda: a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is essential to the stability and development of the entire region and our vision of connectivity. In fact, connectivity, stability, and security not only complement each other, but are also prerequisites for each other.
I met with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan. I also met with the foreign ministers of China and India and many other partners. We discussed how to ensure that Afghanistan is more closely integrated into the broader regional cooperation framework.
I am concerned about the Taliban’s offensive, the dramatic increase in civilian casualties, and the increasing number of Afghans fleeing their homes and countries. Lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan must become the common goal and common responsibility of Europe and the international community. A chaotic Afghanistan will expose the region to further drug trafficking and the spread of radical ideology, terrorism and violence. Afghanistan’s neighbors, including Central Asian countries, are particularly vulnerable to negative effects, but this will also affect our security in Europe.
As the European Union, we are a major partner in the reform and economic transformation of Central Asian countries. I reiterate that the EU and its member states are willing to support joint efforts. I also emphasized that Afghanistan’s neighboring countries are in a key position in supporting the peace process, through constructive contacts and clear messages to all parties in Afghanistan, as well as short-term concerns about narrow interests to avoid supporting armed groups.
The EU supports an inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process, and negotiated a political solution. This requires the Taliban to commit to a negotiated settlement. To this end, all parties involved—neighboring countries, the European Union, and all international partners—must be clear and candid in their messages to the Taliban. We must articulate the consequences of their chosen course of action, including the consequences for EU participation. For most Afghans, countries in the region, and the international community, military takeover by the Taliban or attempts to restore the Islamic emirate are unacceptable. This will lead to non-recognition and isolation. Future support for Afghanistan by international partners, including the European Union, is and will continue to be conditional on maintaining the democratic progress of the past two decades. This includes respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, including women’s rights and protection of minorities, as well as strengthening national institutions and fighting corruption.
I also discussed with the ministers of Central Asia that we hope to establish a strong, non-exclusive partnership and be open to cooperation with other countries, just as 2019 EU Central Asia StrategyThis means strengthening cooperation in various fields such as climate, environment, health, water, human rights and border management capacity building. I reiterate that the EU is willing to participate in the development of regional connectivity and overcome common security challenges.
This year is 30day After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the anniversary of the independence of our Central Asian partners. The road to strengthening regional cooperation has not always been smooth sailing, but it is a tangible achievement that requires further development. In fact, regional cooperation between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and neighboring countries can not only promote socio-economic development, but also respond to common security challenges, including illegal immigration, drug trafficking and terrorism. Threatened.
Central Asia has a huge potential for young people and natural resources, and it can offer many things for European investors. The EU is already a major trading partner; in 2020, two-way trade in goods will reach 22 billion euros. The region has a population of 114 million and has huge market potential. However, to fully utilize this potential, the region needs to advance structural reforms and a better business environment. The EU-Central Asia Economic Forum to be held in November this year will be another opportunity to work towards sustainable and inclusive connectivity.
In short, last week’s Central-South Asia Connectivity Conference proved that regional cooperation and regional dialogue are the key. As the European Union, we will do our part.
