DUSHANBE, September 19, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The European Union (EU) and Central Asia’s states have agreed to boost political and economic interaction as well as cooperation in the sphere of energy security, according to Russia’s news agency Itar-Tass.

We intend to expand energy cooperation without causing damage to existing agreements, participants in the first forum EU-Central Asia on security issues that was held in Paris on September 18 stated. 

The event aimed at enhancing relations with Central Asia, which is rich in natural resources.

The forum participants included foreign ministers from the 27 EU member-states, as well as from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan plus Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia, who wish to become members of the European Union.  Tajikistan was represented by Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi. 

Representatives of Russia, China and Japan also attended the forum.  Afghanistan participated as observer due to its geographical proximity to the region and the common problems with regional neighbors.

The representatives of the two regions discussed cooperation in the sphere of energy security, the situation in the Caucuses, the fight against human trafficking and drugs, prevention of terrorism and the illegal smuggling of weapons

According to Itar-Tass, diversification of the supply of fuels to Europe at the expense of Central Asia’s states was the focus of negotiations of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the Council Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana with foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  

In a resulting statement adopted at the forum, the sides confirmed importance of an active cooperation in seeking ways of the delivery of hydrocarbon raw materials for “guaranteed and reliable provision of European and world markets with energy,” according to Itar-Tass. 

The forum participants also spoke for regular exchange of information about “probable political and military threats.”