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REPORT (2023/2106(INI))

On the EU strategy on Central Asia

A-9-2023-0407

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Karsten Lucke

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on the EU strategy on Central Asia calls for a review of the 2019 strategy and closer EU engagement with the five Central Asian states. It urges the Council and Commission to sign the partnership agreements with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and advance talks with Tajikistan. It demands respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and calls for the release of named political prisoners. It asks for cooperation on connectivity, energy, water, climate and security, including the Middle Corridor and sanctions circumvention. It sets out bilateral asks for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes that Parliament adopt the resolution, calling for a reviewed EU strategy on Central Asia, signed partnership agreements, and stronger action on human rights, connectivity and sanctions circumvention.

Key points

  1. Parliament calls for a review of the EU-Central Asia strategy and for intensified political and economic engagement, welcoming the planned 2024 summit and the Joint Roadmap.
  2. It invites the EU to work out a joint strategy for Central Asia with the United States covering democracy, investment, trade and regional security.
  3. It rejects recognition of the secessionist entity in occupied Cyprus and urges Central Asian states not to ratify the amended Statute of the Organization of Turkic States.
  4. It calls on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to cooperate with the EU Sanctions Envoy to prevent circumvention of sanctions against Russia, and condemns Russia recruiting Central Asian migrants to fight in Ukraine.
  5. It calls on the Council and Commission to sign the EPCAs with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan without delay and to advance negotiations with Tajikistan.
  6. It calls for promoting the Middle Corridor, eliminating infrastructure bottlenecks and investigating European Investment Bank support for Central Asian infrastructure.
  7. It calls for closer regional cooperation on water resources, implementation of the Paris Agreement and settlement of border disputes, including between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
  8. It urges Central Asian states to meet democracy and human rights obligations, launch independent investigations into abuses and carry out judicial reforms.
  9. It calls for media independence and transparency, and condemns arrests of journalists and restrictions on independent media in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
  10. It calls on the authorities of all five Central Asian states to release named political prisoners.
  11. It urges action against gender-based violence, child marriage and discrimination, and against corruption and kleptocracy.
  12. It calls on the Commission to develop reform roadmaps for visa facilitation and readmission agreements with the Central Asian states.

Who is affected

  • Kazakhstan: called to continue reforms, complete the January 2022 investigation and pursue a visa facilitation agreement.
  • Kyrgyzstan: urged to respect human rights and reverse restrictions on media and civil society.
  • Tajikistan: urged to improve human rights, stop persecuting media workers and the Pamiri minority, and join GSP+.
  • Turkmenistan: told to improve its democracy and human rights record before Parliament ratifies the PCA.
  • Uzbekistan: urged to improve democracy, media freedom and the rule of law, and to complete EPCA procedures.

Figures and deadlines

  • One in every eight girls in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is married before 18 years of age.