Cooperation with the European Union is developed in various directions starting from ecology and energy to partnership in security and humanitarian right for the past three decades of independence received by Central Asian countries.
Agreements on partnership and cooperation have been signed with all Central Asian countries, big projects have been implemented and platform for multidimensional dialog has been made. In particular, these are annual meetings on ministerial level and dialog on human rights.
The second Strategy of European Union for Central Asia, which was adopted in 2019, focuses on the synergy concept and specifies that it is necessary “to work together better”. The emphasis is also laid on resilience subject. At the same time, it means the resilience to various risks, which the world and Central Asia particularly are facing.
The coronavirus pandemic and systematic crisis caused by it have become one of such common threats. The humankind have to recover after the crisis with the willingness to consolidate efforts for the interests of stable development.
The idea of organization of Central Asia – European Union Economic Forum meets this purpose. Conducting meetings in such formant on rotational base in Central Asian countries was a common decision of the European Union and five states of the region. Green economy, green rehabilitation and digitization were the main subjects of discussions.
The first Central Asia – European Union Economic Forum was planned to be held in Bishkek but the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Preparation to this forum, which is panned to be held in October 2021, has been activated in the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic since the beginning of this year. The head of politics, media and information department of the EU Representative Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, who informed on this date, has noted that everything would depend on epidemiological situation in the country and the world.
According to Kyrgyz mass media, the forum will focus on promotion of innovative, energy and resource saving transboundary projects under the partnership in promotion of green economy.
Economic cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia has big potential and positive moves are expected in its realization recently. Thus, last year, Uzbekistan has received new a benefit for tax free export of its production to European market as a beneficiary of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences.
Signing of the Memorandum on joint development of the Caspian Field Dostluk between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan may open new perspectives for supply of natural gas to the EU, which tries to diversify gas import.
In this aspect, the first Central Asia – European Union Forum, which is planned to be held this autumn, will present capabilities of the Central Asian region, which is rich with natural and human resources, will allow finding potential partners for realization of joint projects and providing the income of investments. It will be a step toward new future, where the synergy of resources, technologies and human capital will work for common sustainable and green future.
Ogulgozel REJEPOVA
