EU, Central Asia Officials to Boost Ties

Officials from the European Union and ex-Soviet Central Asian nations agreed Wednesday to boost ties as Europe tries to increase its clout in the strategic, energy-rich region.

The EU is eager to tap extensive oil and gas reserves in the vast region bordering Russia, China, Afghanistan and Iran. However, the EU’s relations with Central Asian governments may be hindered by their records on democracy and human rights.
The adoption of a long-term Central Asia strategy has been one of priorities of Germany’s EU presidency. The EU has proposed more than $930 million for projects in the region over the next six years.

“(Central Asia’s) importance is growing because it processes 5 percent of the world’s energy resources, and also because the challenges that it faces, like drugs and organized crime … have an impact on us in Europe,” said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier after talks Wednesday in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana.

Rigzone