The countries of Central Asia and the European Union discussed the cooperation strategy at the 5th session of the High Level Dialogue (HLD) on Political and Security issues between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
Afghanistan was invited to take part in the Dialogue as a special guest.
Participants in the Dialogue agreed that the new regional dynamics had created further opportunities for cooperation between the EU, Central Asia and Afghanistan. The EU presented the main orientations of its new Strategy on Central Asia, foreseen to be adopted in 2019.
Participants agreed on the importance of the upcoming Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in August in Ashgabat, as well as the International Donors' Conference on Nuclear Remediation in Central Asia which will take place on 8 November 2018 in London.
Participants also discussed counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism, following the High-level International Conference on Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism, which took place on 3-4 May in Dushanbe, as well as the Conference on the Role of Youth in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalisation that Lead to Terrorism, held on 11-12 June in Tashkent.
They exchanged views on recent developments in illegal drug trafficking and border management, including possibilities for reinforced cooperation in these areas.
