The European Council has appointed Eduards Stiprais as the new EU Special Representative for Central Asia. He will assume his duties on March 1, 2025, with an initial mandate of two years, succeeding Terhi Hakala.

The task of the new EU Special Representative will be to develop relations between the EU and Central Asian countries based on shared values, promote stability and cooperation among the countries of the region, and strengthen democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In close cooperation with the High Representative, he will also direct his efforts towards enhancing EU effectiveness, including through closer coordination with other relevant partners and international organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations.

E. Stiprais is a Latvian diplomat with extensive experience. He has served as the Permanent Representative of Latvia to the EU and as Deputy State Secretary – Political Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2016 to 2020, he headed the EU Delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan, and he has also served as the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom and France.

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