De relatie tussen de EU en Centraal-Azië - Vraag en Antwoord (en)

Kazakhstan

What is the framework for the EU's relations with Kazakhstan?

EU relations with Kazakhstan are covered by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which was signed on 23 January 1995 and which entered into force on 1 July 1999. It provides a framework for broad-based relations based on market economy and democratic values, including political dialogue and the rule of law. Cooperation Councils, Committees, Sub-Committees on Trade, Investment, Energy and Transport and Sub-Committees on Justice and Home Affairs take place once a year.

In addition to the PCA, the EU and Kazakhstan have also signed several other joint agreements. These include a textile agreement signed on 27 June 2000 in the form of an exchange of letters which entered into force on 1st September 2001; a Steel Agreement signed on 22 July 2002 and valid until the end of 2004; an Agreement for co-operation on Nuclear Safety signed on 19 July 1999, which entered into force on 1 June 2003; a Nuclear Fusion Agreement, which was signed on 29 November 2002 and which is awaiting ratification by the Kazakh Parliament; in addition, an Agreement for scientific cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy is under preparation.

What can Kazakhstan do to strengthen its relations with the EU?

In recent years, Kazakhstan has shown ambitions to strengthen its relations with the EU - two years ago it even sought a 'privileged partnership'- and is committed to adoption of EU technical norms and standards. However, these aspirations do not appear to have been matched by significant tangible commitments in the political sphere. Recent action against critical media and opposition has hampered the strengthening of bilateral relations.

To help strengthen its relations with the EU, Kazakhstan should demonstrate a firmer and more wholehearted commitment to shared values in the field of democracy and human rights, building on the progress already made (for example the moratorium on the death penalty, ongoing judicial and prison reform). Kazakhstan should also demonstrate a greater willingness to co-operate with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

What is the EU's trading relationship with Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan is the EU's biggest trade partner in Central Asia and the EU's third largest partner among the countries of the former Soviet Union, with a total trade volume of € 5,565 million. In 2002, the EU imported goods from Kazakhstan worth € 3,572 million, whereas it exported goods to Kazakhstan worth € 1,626 million, resulting in a € 1,946 million trade deficit for the EU. EU imports consisted mainly of mineral products (oil 78,6%) and base metals (steel 13,2%), whereas EU exports consisted mainly of machinery and equipment (38,9%), vehicles and aircraft (15,6%), chemical products (10,7%), base metals (8,8%), etc. (Source: EUROSTAT)

The EU is, together with the US, one of the largest foreign investors in Kazakhstan, predominantly in the oil sector. In 2001, EU Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Kazakhstan totalled € 1,399 million, equivalent to 31.7% of total FDI in that year. FDI has risen significantly since then. Kazakhstan's investment policies are increasingly characterised by local content requirements for goods, services and labour, the compatibility of which with future World Trade organisation (WTO) requirements is doubtful.

What assistance does the EU provide to Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan has benefited from almost € 135 million of Community technical assistance under the Tacis programme between 1991 and 2001, and has also received a share of the € 50 million Tacis regional allocation since 2001. Kazakhstan also benefits from projects under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

What are the main aims of this assistance?

Tacis assistance in Central Asia aims to promote stability and security in the region by supporting the transition of the countries towards a democracy and market economy. In Kazakhstan significant amounts are allocated inter alia to help it meet its obligations under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, for example on legal, administrative and institutional reform. On the regional level the Central Asian countries benefit inter alia from regional programmes to improve border management and to fight drugs.

Tajikistan

What is the framework for the EU's relations with Tajikistan?

On 16^th December 2003 the EU and Tajikistan initialled a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, in order to strengthen bilateral relations. The PCA is expected to be signed before the end of the Irish Presidency in June 2004. When ratified by the 25 EU Member States, the European Parliament and the Tajik Parliament, the PCA will provide an enhanced framework for bilateral relations with Tajikistan, including political dialogue on democracy, human rights and foreign policy issues. It will complement the dialogue on economic and trade issues as well as on cooperation issues.

Until the PCA enters into force, EU-Tajikistan relations will continue to be based on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed by the European Communities in 1989 with the USSR, which Tajikistan endorsed in 1994. In this context, a Joint Committee meets at high-official level every year, usually in December. In addition, a Textiles Agreement entered into force on 1^st September 2001 until end 2004.

What can Tajikistan do to strengthen its relations with the EU?

The signature of the PCA is a significant step forward in the development of EU-Tajikistan relations. However to reinforce this progress, Tajikistan should continue to move the peace process forward, following the civil war, and to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to consolidating democracy and establishing a market economy. Parliamentary elections to be held in February 2005 will be followed carefully by the EU. It is hoped that they will meet international standards and that the OSCE will observe the process. Free and fair parliamentary elections would send a positive signal to the EU and the international community.

Reform of the agriculture sector and of the banking sector would also be welcomed since this would help to modernise the Tajik economy and to fight poverty, a major goal for the authorities that is supported by the EU and for which the EU is willing to actively participate.

What is the EU's trading relationship with Tajikistan?

Tajikistan was ranked as the 167^th trading partner of the EU in 2002 with a turnover of € 100 million. EU exports to Tajikistan amounted to € 32 million and EU imports to € 68 million. Nearly 78% of Tajik exports to Europe consist of textiles whilst EU exports to Tajikistan include in particular machinery. Foreign direct investment remains low, but the enlargement of the EU is expected to increase bilateral economic flows.

What assistance does the EU provide to Tajikistan?

Tajikistan is currently the most important beneficiary of EU assistance in Central Asia. From 1991 to 2001, € 370 million was committed and disbursed by the European Commission in order to assist Tajikistan in the fight against the humanitarian, economic and social consequences of the civil war.

Several different EC aid programmes are operating in Tajikistan. In addition to humanitarian aid provided by ECHO, the EC budget provides food security support, technical assistance through Tacis and macro-financial assistance.

What are the main aims of this assistance?

The main objective of EC assistance in Tajikistan is to fight poverty and to support the modernisation of the economy.

Kyrgyzstan

What is the framework for the EU's relations with the Kyrgyz Republic?

The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which was signed on the 9th February 1995 and entered into force on the 1st July 1999, provides the framework for broad-based relations between the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic based on market economy and democratic values, including political dialogue and the rule of law. The first Cooperation Council at the level of foreign ministers took place in Brussels on the 20th July 1999 and is now an annual event. In addition, bilateral meetings take place at ministerial (Cooperation Councils), high official (Cooperation Committees) and expert (Subcommittee) level.

What can the Kyrgyz Republic do to strengthen its relations with the EU?

The Kyrgyz Republic is a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and provides a home base at Manas airport to allied forces operating over Afghanistan, including those from EU Member States.

The EU welcomes the Kyrgyz Republic's reform-mindedness in the economic sphere, although a more concerted effort is needed in the fight against corruption.

What is the EU's trading relationship with the Kyrgyz Republic?

Total trade turnover was a mere 110 M€ in 2002. Trade balance is positive for the EU. EU trade surplus amounted to 70 M€ in 2002.

What assistance does the EU provide to the Kyrgyz Republic?

The EU supports the most vulnerable in Kyrgyzstan through its Food Security Programme, to which more than € 100 million has been allocated since 1991. The Kyrgyz Republic has also benefited from more than € 63 million of Community technical assistance under Tacis between 1991 and 2001, and in addition has received a share of the € 50 million regional Tacis allocation since 2001. Kyrgyzstan benefits in particular from long term Tacis support to poverty reduction activities in its Southern batken oblast (3 M€ a year). The Kyrgyz Republic also benefits from projects under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

What are the main aims of this assistance?

Tacis assistance in Central Asia is aimed at promoting stability and security in the region by supporting the transition of the country towards democracy and a fully functioning market economy. On the regional level the Central Asian countries benefit from programmes intended to improve border management and the illicit trade in drugs.

Uzbekistan

What is the framework for the EU's relations with Uzbekistan?

The EU's relations with Uzbekistan are based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed on 21 June 1996. It entered into force on 1 July 1999, providing a framework for broad-based relations with Uzbekistan based on market economy and democratic values, including political dialogue and the rule of law. In addition, Cooperation Councils, Committees, Sub-Committees on Trade, Investment, and economic issues and Transport and Sub-Committees on Justice and Home Affairs and customs take place once a year.

Other agreements include: a Textiles Agreement that entered into force on 1^st September 2001 until end 2004. An Agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy signed on 5^th October 2003 will enter into force when ratified.

What can Uzbekistan do to strengthen its relations with the EU?

The EU attaches great importance to the principles of democracy, market economy, respect for the rule of law and human rights. In this context, Uzbekistan should seek to accelerate the implementation of the transition process towards democracy and market economy, in particular focussing on improving respect for human rights.

The March 2003 report on the use of torture in Uzbekistan by TheoVan Boven, UN Special Reporter of the Commission on Human Rights on the question of Torture should be followed up rapidly.

On the economic front, the EU welcomed Uzbekistan's signature in October 2003 of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) article VIII allowing full external convertibility of the national currency, the Sum, however the EU would like to see greater opening of Uzbekistan's economy to private investment. Uzbekistan's WTO accession would be a clear positive signal for European investors and traders.

Uzbekistan was from the outset a strong support of the international coalition against terrorism and some EU Member States have troops stationed in the country. The EU appreciates the continued support of Uzbekistan in the fight against terrorism.

What is the EU's trading relationship with Uzbekistan?

In 2002 EU imports from Uzbekistan totalled € 805 million, ranking Uzbekistan as 76^th amongst the EU's trade partners in terms of imports. With EU exports valued at € 436 million, Uzbekistan is the 103^rd trading partner in terms of exports. Whilst EU exports are mainly concentrated on machinery, transport equipment and other industrial products such as chemicals, Uzbekistan exports to the EU are concentrated on textiles and gold. As the 4^th supplier of cotton yarn, the textile industry represents an important part of the trade between the EU and Uzbekistan.

European direct investments remain quite weak in Uzbekistan despite efforts of the Uzbek authorities to attract them.

What assistance does the EU provide to Uzbekistan?

Up to 2001, Uzbekistan benefited from € 118 million of EU assistance, mostly in the form of grants. Since 2002 Uzbekistan has been the major recipient of Tacis technical assistance provided to Central Asia, receiving an average of € 10 million per annum. In addition Uzbekistan benefits from Tacis regional activities in the field of energy (Inogate - Interstate oil & gas transport to Europe), transport (Traceca- Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus- Asia) and environment.

What are the main aims of this assistance?

Tacis assistance in Central Asia is aimed at promoting stability and security in the region by supporting the transition of the countries towards democracy and market economy. EU assistance to Uzbekistan places a particular focus on education (with Tempus activities) and on helping Uzbekistan to meet its obligations under the PCA, such as on legal, administrative and institutional reform. On the regional level Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, benefits inter alia from regional programmes to improve border management and to fight drugs as well as Traceca and Inogate.

EU-Central Asia

Does the EU intend to extend its Wider Europe policy to the Central Asia in the future?

There are currently no plans to extend the EU's Wider Europe policy to Central Asia. However, the European Union is fully committed to supporting the countries of the region as they seek to consolidate democracy and develop fully functioning free market economies. Global events have highlighted the geo-strategic importance of the region, especially in the fight against terrorism and drugs trafficking, and the EU is keen to work closely with the region on these issues.