In Kazakhstan, EU’s Michel touts closer cooperation with Central Asia – EURACTIV.com
Staff, 2022-10-27 07:19:27,
Kazakhstan is a crucial partner for the EU as the bloc aims to strengthen its overall cooperation with Central Asia, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday (27 October).
“Central Asia and Europe are coming closer together and becoming more and more connected,” Michel said speaking alongside Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, touting closer ties with the region, which has come into stronger focus after Russia started its war in Ukraine.
It is Michel’s first official visit to Kazakhstan, the main economic powerhouse in a region where Russia’s influence has come under question, which he described as a “crucial partner” the EU hoped to “develop cooperation” with.
“My visit takes place at a difficult time for Europe and the wider region,” Michel said ahead of the first EU-Central Asia summit, which he described as “much more than just a policy dialogue between two regions.”
“It’s a powerful symbol of our reinforced cooperation,” he said, as he was due to meet the leaders of all five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – later on Thursday.
Michel’s visit comes eight months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has made Moscow’s former Soviet neighbours nervous about potential repercussions for the region.
Two weeks earlier, Astana hosted several summits attended by Russia as well as by China and Turkey, who are also seeking to…
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