MEPs have wrapped up a visit to Central Asia, where the issues of the circumvention of sanctions featured prominently in exchanges with high-level politicians and stakeholders.
The start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has prompted significant geopolitical changes. To respond to these changes, the European Union has intensified its engagement with partners around the world, including in Central Asia. As part of this effort, a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee visited Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on 21-25 August.
In Kazakhstan, the delegation met with parliamentarians of the Mazhilis, State Counsellor, the Minister of Economy, and Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration, and Industry and Infrastructural Development, representatives of civil society, and the Commissioner for Human Rights.
In Kyrgyzstan, the delegation met with President Sadyr Japarov, the Speaker and members of Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as representatives of civil society and independent media.
Following the visit, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister (EPP, Germany) said: “Central Asia is a strategically important region for the European Union. Our visit to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan reconfirmed the need for the EU to intensify its presence in and involvement with the countries of the region.
Source : European Interest