EU - CENTRAL ASIA LATVIAN PRESIDENCY GUNTA PASTORE, MFA LATVIA

EU - CENTRAL ASIA LATVIAN PRESIDENCY GUNTA PASTORE, MFA LATVIA

Presidency s foreign policy priorities 1) Eastern Partnership, 2) Central Asia Why Central Asia? Strategically important region security (post-isaf AFG), economically a lot of potential, bridge between China and Europe. LV advantages expertise, well-established contact network at various levels, diplomatic representation in the region, no language barriers. We want to contribute to EU s common benefit 2

Presidency s focus in EU-CA agenda 1) PRES priority areas and actions - security and stability, economic development, transport networks, and education Need more political attention to the CA region PRES Action plan prepared in cooperation with EEAS, COM, and in consultation with CA countries 2) Reviewing the EU-CA Strategy in 2015 Various stakeholders input important. EESC opinion will be substantial contribution of the civil society. 3

What CA countries want from the EU? More EU attention to providing security in the region (EU programmes BOMCA, CADAP) Assistance in economic modernization, EU direct investments Assistance in rural development, energy efficiency Great CA interest in EU assistance in education (Erasmus+), want EU Universities to open branches in CA KAZ key priority signing of Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. 4

What the EU wants and offers to CA countries? EU priorities stability and security (shared concern AFG); human rights and democratization; energy diversification (energy-rich region); transportation networks (Europe Asia), (see EU CA Strategy (2012) Trade, economic cooperation (e.g. good progress with EU-KAZ ECPA) EU development assistance new Multiannual Programmes (2014-2020) increased aid to 1 billion. Substantial improvements - tailor-made approach, address specific needs of CA countries, balance between regional and bilateral levels 5

LV PRES focus security stability Security and stability - regional approach is necessary. Both EU CA political dialogue and practical cooperation are important Political dilaogue High Level Security Dialogue, EUSR HR/VP entrusted LV Foreign Minister to chair EU-CA Ministers meeting, Cooperation Councils with KZ and UZB EU practical help EU integrated border management (BOMCA) and drug action programmes. BOMCA 9 starts in 2015 - Latvia will assume leading role of Consortium of Member states implementing BOMCA 9 6

LV PRES focus human rights HR, democratization, rule of law very important areas There is awareness among CA countries on the problems. Yet, the anti-western sentiment is growing. Why? Wrong EU s approach in promoting our values? Need more creative ways (avoiding predator victim pattern). Instead - exposure to the best practices, practical cooperation, cooperation of municipalities, rule of law EU s help with legislation. Indirect influence through education HR dialogues important. Recent HR with KAZ and UZB positive (EU praised UZB efforts in elimination of use child labor 7

LV PRES focus - education Education is of strategic importance for economic and social development of CA region. EU-CA Education Platform - framework for cooperation Priority areas teacher education and training, higher and vocational education and training, Erasmus+ Programme, CA approximation to Bologna Process (curricula reform, governance reform). We are planning the EU-CA Education Ministers meeting in June 2015 in Riga. Aim - to step up the policy dialogue Seminars in Tashkent and Astana 8

LV PRES focus sustainable development Transport 3 rd ASEM Transport Ministers Meeting, April 29-30, Riga. Aim - to broaden understanding of recent development of transport linkages between Asia and Europe. Will discuss the emerging role of Central Asia as as key transit nodes along the Euro-Asia land corridors Follow-up of the ASEM Summit in Milan (October 2014), which called for establishment of an integrated, sustainable, secure and efficient air, maritime and land transportation system ( ) in and between Asia and Europe On the margins on 3 rd ASEM Transport Ministers Meeting - High-level transport conference (ASEM, Central Asia, Russia). 9

LV PRES focus sustainable development Energy efficiency - Green Bridge Forum Latvia, April 15-18 - on the margins of EU Environment Ministers meeting. Aim strengthening the environmental governance, energy efficiency, renewable energies Rural development - conference Rural and Agricultural Advisory Systems. Tashkent. Aim to share best practices on governance of agriculture (organisation structures, sources of financing, improving production and management systems 10

Upcoming review of EU-CA Strategy EEAS drafting implementation report, EU Council could start discussion in early 2015 We expect the review to consist of Implementation report (since 2012) and future orientation (recommendations). EU future orientation on the basis of 1) reality check on geopolitical context and developments in CA and 2) lessons learned form implementation of 2012 Future orientation - what priority areas, cooperation formats, EU instruments? 11

Upcoming review geopolitical context, regional challenges China s energy security policy in CA and in region (CA, AFG, Iran), increasing economic influence. Silk Road Economic Belt Russia s interests in CA, political influence. Eurasian Economic Union and CA. Impact of Ukraine s crisis on CA? How China and Russia interact in CA? Strategic partners or competitors? To what extent do they determine (limit) EU policy in CA? How CA countries perceive these influences? Regional challenges - water-energy nexus, political developments, counter terrorism and narcotics, sensitive borders, socio-economic disparities. 12

Upcoming review - implementation of Strategy What has been achieved since the 2012 review? Lessons learned? In 2012, EU shifted focus on security (AFG context) HR, democratization could EU win the peoples hearts and minds, could it compete with Russia s propaganda (TV)? Youth and education? Economic modernization? EU interests in energy diversification? Transport networks? Rural development and water management? 13

Future orientation (recommendations) To improve EU image in the region reach out the most vulnerable parts of population, to put efforts into practical help - in such areas as education, rural development Economic cooperation - EU is the main trading partner of the region, accounting for about a third of its overall external trade. Total turnover of the EU's trade with CA remains low? HR, democratization, rule of law need smart ways using HR dialogues, exchange of best practices, cooperation of municipalities, rule of law help with legislation Cooperation formats regional and bilateral. Regional important, but also bilateral 14