Region of Central Asia is in the focus of discussion of the European Union projects

SEnECA consortium members and Brussels stakeholders gathered together in order to discuss the implementation of the new EU Strategy on Central Asia, which has been ratified by the European Council in June 2019. Meanwhile, the SEnECA project lasted from January 2018 until December 2019. SEnECA researchers have so far produced 13 policy papers on developments in Central Asia vis-a-vis the European Union and other key actors, 2 background papers on the current state of affairs of Central Asian Studies in the EU and EU Studies in Central Asia, and a Stakeholder Analysis identifying the most important stakeholders in EU- Central Asia relations. The project finalized the Agenda for Future Research Cooperation as well as the Long-Term Central Asia Communication Strategy, among other documents.

The parallel sessions in the framework of Agenda of the Final Conference included exchange of opinions of keynote speakers on different topics such as Central Asia and the EU: modes of cooperation in the field of education and research, knowledge transfer, communication tools and awareness raising, more and better connectivity between Europe and Asia, and etc. 

In his statement, Mr. Mircea Ciopraga, TRACECA Secretary General stressed that Central Asia represents a significant link in Eurasia and being one of the richest regions of the world by raw materials supplies it has a strategic importance on an international scale.  

In view of strengthening the economic growth observed in the developing countries and the world need of energy resources, the Central Asian region and its export potential should be evaluated as one of the key factors in solving the issues of energy resources deliveries, including to the EU market.   

“Since the ITC TRACECA is essentially multimodal, the share of maritime transport in transportation amounted to more than 75% (combined transport operations)”, mentioned Mr. Ciopraga.

Nowadays, the ITC TRACECA is the natural and the most reliable transit bridge between Europe and Asia out of the existing ones from the point of view of ensuring safety and security of transported goods. This corridor provides a necessary access for the EU countries in the CA countries. 

Mr. Ciorpaga also stressed that TRACECA activities are directed towards the development of trade-economic relations between states of the Eurasian region. In the context of connecting two world economic poles of Eurasia based on qualitatively new criteria, TRACECA is ready to act as an active partner and a bridge between Europe and CA. 

The professional dialogue devoted to the role of CA in the context of modern global development is designed to promote a better understanding with the EU states, approximation of positions, framing schemes and models of partnership cooperation in this field of activity.