The deputy foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Central Asian countries, as the region’s importance is growing in the context of the European Union’s external relations. The talks focused mostly on socio-economic issues in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the potential assistance the V4 can offer to Ashgabat, Bishkek, Dushanbe, Nur-Sultan and Tashkent, implementation of the UE Strategy on Central Asia adopted in 2019, and the issues of regional cooperation and security in the neighbourhood of Central Asia, especially related to Afghanistan. “Central Asian countries are becoming important partners for the European Union, including the Visegrad Group, not only in the fields of economy and investment but also international and security policy where common challenges are plentiful,” stated Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.

The deputy minister stressed that “Poland will support actions aimed at enhancing cooperation between the Visegrad Group and Central Asia to the extent that will be beneficial to all interested states.” In this context, he pointed to the possibility of developing sectoral cooperation in such areas as sharing positive experiences of successful political transformation - transition from centrally planned economy to market economy, educational cooperation, and “green technologies”.

“Poland’s intention is to ensure that intensified cooperation between the countries of the Visegrad Group and Central Asia complies with the key objectives of the EU Strategy for the region, with the aim of enhancing their resilience to internal and external challenges, and creating favourable conditions for further development,” highlighted Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA