EUROPEAN UNION AND CENTRAL ASIA EXPAND COOPERATION

The sixth round of the High-level Political and Security Dialogue between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia took place on 28 May 2019 in Brussels, Belgium.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries, as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan as the guest of honor.  The Turkmen delegation was headed by the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in the Kingdom of Belgium. From the European Union, the Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the European External Action Service Jean-Christophe Belliard, EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, as well as the Director of Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional cooperation and OSCE in the European Service of Foreign Policy Activities (ESFPA) Luc Pierre Devin participated to the meeting.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the implementation of the new EU strategy for Central Asia, including proposals to improve the effectiveness of cooperation in the field of security, as well as in the trade and economic, transport and energy fields. The issues of improving education, environmental protection and rational use of water resources were discussed. Participants noted the importance of further strengthening of regional security cooperation with the participation of neighboring Afghanistan, and expressed their full support for peaceful resolution of the situation in the country.

During the meeting, the head of the Turkmen delegation informed about the peace-loving foreign policy of Turkmenistan aimed at supporting the efforts of the world community in strengthening security at regional and international levels. The policy of good neighborliness and humanitarian assistance to the brotherly people of Afghanistan was also noted. / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan /