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DRAFT REPORT (2023/2106(INI))

On the EU strategy on Central Asia

AFET-PR-752889

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Karsten Lucke

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This is a draft report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the EU strategy on Central Asia, prepared by rapporteur Karsten Lucke. It argues that geopolitical shifts since 2019 give the EU a window to deepen cooperation with Central Asia. It calls for stronger EU engagement, signing the pending partnership agreements with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and cooperation against sanctions circumvention. It urges action on connectivity, the Trans-Caspian Corridor, water resources, Afghanistan stability, and aid visibility. It presses Central Asian states on democracy, human rights, civil society, media freedom and protection of minorities and LGTBIQ people.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament call for stronger EU engagement with Central Asia, signing pending EPCAs, cooperation on sanctions, connectivity, water and Afghanistan, and pressure on democracy and human rights.

Key points

  1. Underlines that global and regional geopolitical shifts give strong impetus for closer EU-Central Asia cooperation, and encourages the EU to intensify engagement given the region's geostrategic importance.
  2. Notes that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has weakened its standing in the region and that the EU should use this window of opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation.
  3. Expresses deep concern about Central Asian states' circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia and calls on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to cooperate closely with the EU, in particular its Sanctions Envoy.
  4. Reiterates the key role of EPCAs and calls on the Council and Commission to sign the EPCAs with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan without further delay.
  5. Stresses the need to back up Global Gateway plans with funds, develop the Trans-Caspian Corridor as an alternative Asia-Europe connection, and eliminate bottlenecks identified in the EBRD study.
  6. Notes Central Asian states' pragmatic engagement with the Taliban without recognising them, and their key role in Afghanistan's stability through humanitarian aid, electricity, trade and connectivity projects.
  7. Highlights the EU's role as an important donor and stresses a united Team Europe approach and the visibility of EU assistance and investment.
  8. Stresses the need for closer regional cooperation between upstream and downstream countries on water resources to prevent conflicts, and welcomes platforms such as the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
  9. Urges Central Asian states to adhere to democracy and human rights obligations, and calls on EU delegations and member state representations to monitor the situation and work with human rights defenders.
  10. Regrets restrictive legislative initiatives on non-governmental organisations and the media, and calls on the EU to enhance support to civil society and involve young populations.
  11. Calls for boosting resilience against disinformation, promoting independent media in local languages, and ensuring protection for journalists, bloggers and human rights defenders.
  12. Is concerned about widespread gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment of minorities and LGTBIQ people, and urges Central Asian governments to prevent these violations.

Who is affected

  • Central Asian states: urged to meet democracy and human rights obligations, cooperate on sanctions, and sign agreements.
  • EU institutions: called to intensify engagement, sign EPCAs, and mobilise funds for Global Gateway.
  • Civil society, journalists and human rights defenders in Central Asia: EU support and protection urged.
  • Minorities and LGTBIQ people in Central Asia: governments urged to prevent violence and discrimination.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2019: year the EU strategy on Central Asia was adopted.
  • January 2022: violent unrest in Kazakhstan.
  • November 2021 and May 2022: violent crackdowns in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast of Tajikistan.
  • July 2022: unrest in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.
  • 27 October 2022: first EU-Central Asian leaders' meeting in Astana.
  • 2 June 2023: second EU-Central Asian leaders' meeting in Cholpon-Ata.
  • 2024: planned leaders' summit.
  • 2019: negotiations on the EPCA with Kyrgyzstan concluded.