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EU expresses commitment to strong ties with central Asian countries

Xinhua, June 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union foreign ministers on Monday expressed commitment to establish a strong, durable and stable relationship with the five central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The will was voiced in a press release after the foreign ministers' meeting Monday in Luxembourg, which noted the EU side considered central Asia as "a region of strategic importance."

According to the press release issued by the Council of the EU, the EU welcomed the substantial progress achieved in developing the EU's relations with the five central Asian countries as well as with the central Asian region as a whole, eight years after the adoption of the Central Asia Strategy.

Highlighting the significant mutual interest in increased political and economic cooperation, the Council reaffirmed the EU's commitment to a relationship based on the principles of responsibility and ownership.

The Council also called for strengthening trade and energy links between the EU and central Asian countries and reinforcing cooperation on security and stability, including sustainable management of natural resources, said the press release. Endit