EU playing increasingly important role in C Asia, C. Ashton

BRUSSELS. November 27. KAZINFORM "The European Union plays an increasingly important role in Central Asia," Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on the eve of the EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting set for today in Bishkek.

"The European Union plays an increasingly important role in Central Asia through its presence in those countries and cooperation with its partners in the region. The meeting of the foreign ministers will let us debate the key issues of mutual concern, including security and regional cooperation, energy, environmental protection and water supply as well as priority spheres of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, such as education, supremacy of law, human rights and civil society initiatives."

The meeting will bring together foreign ministers and deputy ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the EU official's press service said.