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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius, on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy taking part in the EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting on November 20 in Brussels, stressed that join action was needed to ensure international security, stability and peace and that regional cooperation was especially important in preparing for the withdrawal of the international forces from the neighbouring Afghanistan by 2014.

“We are facing common security challenges, including terrorism and extremism, drug and human trafficking, and border management. The international nature of these threats requires coordinated actions at both regional and international levels. Only regional joint efforts can help to tackle these common challenges,” Minister Linkevičius said.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister affirmed the Union’s support to long-term reforms and modernisation, and stressed that the EU was very interested in strengthening cooperation with the Central Asian region.

Minister Linkevičius and the Foreign Ministers of countries in the region discussed results of the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia as well as the new budget for the financial cooperation between the EU and the region over the next seven years. A lot of attention was given to political and economic reforms in Central Asian countries, regional security cooperation, and issues related to energy and water resources.

“We have drawn attention to the importance of constructive cooperation in the fields of democratisation, human rights, and the rule of law. We believe that strong engagement of civil society and non-governmental organizations is essential to creating a vibrant democracy,” Minister Linkevičius said.

The annual meeting, which was held in Brussels for the first time since 2009, was attended by representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Linas Linkevičius represented the EU’s High Representative Catherine Ashton as the Foreign Minister of Lithuania’s EU Council Presidency.

After the plenary session, Minister Linkevičius held bilateral meetings with representatives of countries of the region.