EU will present a draft of the Central Asian strategy at the October summit - Mogherini
Europe and the Central Asian region are closer today than ever before. Such an assessment of the relationship between the Old World and Central Asia was given by Federica Mogherini - the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Speaking at the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she noted that Central Asia is often perceived as some distant part of the world, although the states of this region are neighbors of Europe and now, more than before, they are linking two parts of the world into one continent.
Mogherini also spoke about the role of the Central Asian states in the implementation of the "New Silk Road" project, which will create one of the world's largest infrastructure systems.
In her opinion, Central Asia becomes a much more significant part of the world than just a transit territory, and the countries of the region become more important, independent and stronger than before.
Approaching the most important part of her speech, a high-ranking EU representative stressed that the Central Asian states give the EU a clear signal about the desire to expand cooperation in all areas, since they consider the EU to be a reliable partner.
In this regard, Mogherini promised in October this year at the EU summit to promulgate a draft European strategy for the Central Asian region.
The initiative to organize the transport, energy and trade corridor "New Silk Road", proposed by Beijing in 2013, found effective support among the Central Asian states, and especially in Turkmenistan.
Ashgabat has repeatedly put forward initiatives on international platforms and sessions of the UN General Assembly aimed at strengthening energy security, developing the transport and communication sector, and as a consequence, developing regional, continental and intercontinental trade.
The rich reserves of fuel and energy resources, the developed electric power industry and the favorable geographic location give Turkmenistan a special role in the development of these processes. Turkmenistan initiated the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railway, and also promotes the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline construction project and a number of other projects in the energy and transport sectors.
As for foreign policy priorities, Turkmenistan, in accordance with its neutral status, is ready to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries of the world based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.
