**Summary: EU Urged to Prioritize Human Rights at Central Asia Summit**
The European Union is being called upon to emphasize human rights as it convenes its inaugural summit with Central Asian leaders, including those from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
### Who, What, When, Where, Why
On Friday, the president of the European Council, António Costa, and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will meet with Central Asian leaders in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This summit aims to address critical issues such as trade, counter-terrorism, climate, and energy ties. The backdrop of this meeting is the evolving geopolitical landscape following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has intensified EU-Central Asia relations.
### Strengthening EU-Central Asia Relations
– **Increased Cooperation**: The EU and Central Asian countries are working to enhance transport links through the trans-Caspian transport corridor, aiming to reduce travel time between the EU and Central Asia to 15 days.
– **Focus on Raw Materials**: The EU seeks to secure a commitment on critical raw materials from the region, essential for its green transition.
– **Geopolitical Context**: The summit is seen as a pivotal moment, with Central Asian nations expressing a desire to deepen ties with the EU and diversify their foreign policies.
### Human Rights Concerns
– **Call for Human Rights Focus**: Campaigners emphasize that while new partnerships are vital, they must be built on a foundation of rule of law and human rights protection. Iskra Kirova from Human Rights Watch stated, “These new partnerships are very important, but they will not be sustainable unless the EU also cares about rule of law in the region and protection of rights.”
– **Criticism of EU Actions**: The EU’s decision to sign a trade deal with Kyrgyzstan, despite the country adopting a law that stigmatizes NGOs, raises concerns about the EU’s commitment to human rights.
### Conclusion
As the EU engages with Central Asia, will it prioritize human rights alongside economic and strategic interests?
### FAQs
**Q: Why is the EU summit with Central Asia significant?**
A: The summit marks a crucial step in strengthening ties between the EU and Central Asian countries, particularly in light of shifting geopolitical dynamics following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
**Alt Text**: EU leaders meeting with Central Asian leaders to discuss human rights and cooperation.
**URL Slug**: eu-central-asia-summit-human-rights-focus
