Charles Michel reminded the leaders of the Central Asian countries that the 11th EU sanctions package against Russia will include countries that help Moscow circumvent Western restrictions.
European Council President Charles Michel reminded Central Asian leaders on Friday that the European Union (EU) has decided to sanction countries that support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
“I am aware of the positions expressed by your countries, because of the relations they maintain with the parties in question, and I respect them,” said Charles Michel during the European Union-Central Asia summit, in the city of Cholpon-Ata, in Kyrgyzstan. .
Michel reminded, however, the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan that the The EU’s 11th sanctions package against Russia will include countries that help Moscow circumvent Western restrictions. All five countries are former Soviet republics and Russia has exercised a tutelary power in the region.
“We understand the concerns and requests of our European partners regarding a certain group of sanctioned goods and services. we are ready to continue the dialogue with the EU on this issue”responded Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaporov.
The Kyrgyz leader said he supports initiatives that would contribute to “a mutually acceptable solution” to end the war in Ukraine.
Kyrgyzstan “strictly adheres to the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and upholds observance of generally recognized principles and norms of international law,” it said.
against “profound changes in the global architecture of international relations and security”Zhaporov considered it important to work together to strengthen global and regional security, taking into account the interests of each country.”
In the summit statement, the EU and Central Asian leaders expressed “common concern over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan,” which is ruled by the Taliban and shares borders with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. They also defended “the importance of promoting and respecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghan citizens, in particular women, girls and ethnic groups.”
They also pointed to the need to strengthen cooperation between Central Asia and the EU “with respect to old, new and emerging challenges”. They decided, therefore, to instruct the respective heads of diplomacy to “formalize and advance” in the adoption of a common road map that allows deepening the ties between the parties.
“We can offer sincere partnership” to five former Soviet republics in Central Asia and “to be a respectful partner that builds trust,” Charles Michel told the French agency AFP.
Central Asia has been the subject of intense diplomatic activity since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Before Michel, the leaders of Russia, Vladimir Putin, China, Xi Jinping and Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, visited the region.
Source: Observadora
