International Political Dialogue - "Cooperation among Countries from Central Asia and the European Union"

International Political Dialogue - "Cooperation among Countries from Central Asia and the European Union" [printable version]

"Cooperation among Countries from Central Asia and the European Union"
Brussels Dialogue Program

During the period when Germany held the chairmanship of the European Council, the European Union endorsed the strategy for Central Asia. In the face of this backdrop and within the framework of this joint event, a discussion was held.

During the period when Germany held the chairmanship of the European Council, the European Union endorsed the strategy for Central Asia. In the face of this backdrop and within the framework of this joint event, a discussion among the Ambassador of Kazakhstan accredited to Belgium, and concurrently the representative of Kazakhstan before the EU and the NATO; the second secretary of the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany at the EU; the deputy director of the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia Department in the General Directorate for Foreign Affairs of the European Commission; and the head of the Royal Dutch Shell Office in Europe was held.

Kazakhstan is at the Forefront

His Excellency, Ambassador Konstantin Zhigalov, praised the timeliness of this activity conducted one week after the high-level conference held in Germany. As Germany chaired the European Council, it favored the accomplishment of a new EU strategy for the cooperation with Central Asian countries. The region, a worldwide energy supplier and a commercial channel to China, plays a significant role in assuring stability; this interest framework was considered in the new EU strategy.

His Excellency,
Ambassador
Konstantin
Zhigalov,
Kazakhstan

In his opinion, the regional cooperation should be focused on those countries showing willingness. It should not be delayed because of laggard countries. A better technical improvement with the support of high-level working groups is required. Kazakhstan supports the bilateral and regional procedures conjunction, as described in the EU strategy. However, the diversity of the Central Asian countries should be considered. Ambassador Zhigalov emphasized the significance of Kazakhstan within this context, and its particular position in the region. Kazakhstan has an economic potential as much as twice the potential of the remaining Central Asian countries as a whole; it is “at the very forefront”, and one can foresee that it will experience one of the highest rates in economical growth worldwide within the next years. Gradually, Kazakhstan is becoming an important investor in other countries and regions. Due to this progress, the EU can also learn from Kazakhstan, and not only the other way around.

“Our experience has taught us that the economic transformation should precede the political transformation”, stated Ambassador Zhigalov. The EU understands this view. He pointed out that, in addition to oil as well as to gas in the future, Kazakhstan also has other subsoil resources, such as uranium, chrome, and copper. Kazakhstan aims at assuming a global strategic role, becoming one of the most competitive countries, and in such a context, being recognized as a market economy -especially by the EU who considers the country as a core counterpart.

We Make Dialogue-Based Experience Available

Olaf Poeschke,
Permanent
Representation
at the EU

The European-Central Asian cooperation is not unilateral, said Olaf Poeschke from the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany at the EU; and the Central Asian countries are not objects of the political structuring by the EU either. It is rather about a new partnership. For this purpose, the new EU strategy could be considered an exemplary model type, specially because it was developed jointly with the Central Asian countries. In contrast, the EU was indeed less engaged in the region during the ‘90s –it was instead bilaterally focused. The EU focuses its interest on stability, the rule of law realm, democracy, human rights, and the economic development in the region. Germany is particularly committed in these fields. The new EU strategy is an overall cooperation framework. It is not about a checklist –it focuses on prioritized political fields. The Central Asian countries have just recently been constituted as states, and the transformation process has not been easy. The new EU strategy points out to ensure stability and promote the development. “We make our experience available in this field, based on a structured, permanent and results-oriented dialogue”, stated Mr. Poeschke. For this purpose, the particular features of each one of the countries and of the region as a whole should be considered.

Actual EU Measures

Thomas Frellesen
EU Commission

Thomas Frellesen from the General Directorate for Foreign Affairs of the European Commission started his participation with an appreciation to the German chairmanship of the European Council, for encouraging a new EU strategy. Among others, he referred to relevant transnational topics in the region, such as drug traffic, for which combat the EU strategy includes measures, e. g. the cooperation in border management. The EU wants to consolidate its presence in the region. For this purpose, and with an increased regularity, the number of high-level summits will be augmented. Prioritized subjects: education, rule of law, human rights, economic development, the incorporation of the environmental policy, as well as joint risks. The EU advocates for all the Central Asian countries to become members of the World Trade Organization, also towards a greater integration into world economy. The EU intends to implement concrete political exchange programs, as well as technical assistance programs at both bilateral and regional levels. Therefore, the EU representations in the region are being transformed into fully-fledged delegations, and the budget has already been doubled for the technical assistance programs.

Long-Term Perspectives to be Considered

Hans van der Loo,
Royal Dutch Shell

Hans van der Loo, head of the Royal Dutch Shell Office in Europe, by using four main ideas described his thoughts around the cooperation between the EU and Central Asia, departing from an approach in terms of energy economy. First, one has to consider that the investment timeline is, in contrast, too long: in the energy field it extends to half a century. Therefore, it is indispensable to perform with complete assurance and that the investments are rooted in society. Second, the region is highly complex as to the technical field, which compels to use new technology, such as in drills 3000 meters deep under extreme 500 bar pressure conditions. Third, the assurance of the offer providing alternatives is vital. Central Asia holds a very good position in terms of assurance in fulfilling demands, since it is possible to export to almost every geographic location from the region. The fourth and last issue, it is fundamental to reach a better mutual knowledge. The capacity building is necessary; the Shell company is already strongly involved in such issue. In Hans van der Loo's opinion, it would be useful to implement a more extended but less bureaucratic regulation of the blue card, in order for tertiary education and a further restricted working permanence to be allowed.

The Expanded Cooperation and the Russian Role

The attendees to this Thought Bites event confronted the speakers with a series of questions; on one hand, regarding the building and consolidation of cooperation, and on the other hand, concerning the role played by Russia and Kazakhstan. In view of the above, they inquired into the possible Kazakhstan plans of taking on the OSCE chairmanship and the corresponding maneuvering margin related to Russia. On this regard, Ambassador Zhigalov stated that it is about the OSCE development as such, in which all members are equal. He considers that there are no problems at all on this regard. Along with the other members, Kazakhstan wants to continue in the track already initiated towards a greater economic cooperation, also within the OSCE framework.

Susanne Hartig, DPB
Programs Director
(2nd from left),
Dr. Marc Gramberger,
facilitator (1st from left),
and speakers

Mr. Poeschke mentioned that there is a generalized support to the possibility that the OSCE would be chaired by Kazakhstan, and the ‘conditionality’ trend by Russia regarding this institution. Russia is not opposed to an EU cooperation with Central Asia. In an extended cooperation, it is not difficult to distinguish between a bilateral approach and a regional one, said Thomas Frellesen of the European Commission. The regional approach cannot be universally applied. Ambassador Zhibalov answered to the question about a regional integration in Central Asia: Among the Central Asian countries there are significant differences posing great hindrances to accomplish a regional integration. Thomas Frellesen emphasized that the EU educational efforts for Central Asia, such as Erasmus, Mundus, and Tempus should be constantly consolidated. To the question about the actual way in which the new cooperation can be promoted –and not only in energy terms–, Hans van der Loo pointed out the “unique wealth transfer” into Central Asia, due to the high prices in the energy field. This would directly generate new expenditures and new trade exchanges, i. e. the expansion will come true.