The EU recognises the strategic importance of Central Asia, which links the huge Asian continent with Europe. In 2019, the EU updated its Central Asia strategy to focus on resilience (covering areas such as human rights, border security and the environment), prosperity (with a strong emphasis on connectivity) and regional cooperation. The EU and Central Asia have taken important steps through the EU Global Gateway to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Parliament highlights the importance of human rights, good governance and social development, underlining the role of parliamentary diplomacy. Parliament strongly supports democracy and the rule of law with concrete initiatives such as democratisation in Central Asia. In the light of the situation in Afghanistan, Central Asia has become crucial for security and stability. The January 2022 riots in Kazakhstan (which ended after the Collective Security Treaty Organization sent Russian-led troops) and the border clashes between Central Asian countries show the risk of instability in a region under Moscow’s influence. This influence in Central Asia is however weakening as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the concentration of troops at the front. However, Russia remains a key security provider in the region, with military facilities in three of the five Central Asian countries, and it controls two thirds of arms’ imports and supports the region’s governments. For trade and investment, the Chinese influence is growing with its Belt and Road initiative.Given the geostrategic importance of the region, Parliament strongly encourages the EU to intensify its engagement with Central Asia. The EU should promote political and economic reforms that strengthen the rule of law, democracy, good governance, and respect for human rights. Parliament is willing to promote parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy with Central Asia.
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