EU, Central Asian diplomats discuss security, cooperation

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and senior diplomats of central Asian nations gathered here on Tuesday to discuss security and regional cooperation. The meeting also touched on such topics like energy, environment, water resources, education, rule of law, human rights and civil society initiatives. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldayev said his country attaches great importance to promoting effective cooperation with the EU in addressing common challenges facing the area. After the meeting, Ashton said Europe's growing interest in Central Asia is based on shared security challenges. "In this region, we face increasing and new challenges. We talked about developments in Afghanistan and the importance of the future of that country," Ashton said. Ashton also said that she wants to see strengthened cooperation on energy and trade between Europe and the regional countries. The EU envoy will also visit Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in the coming week. Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev also met with Ashton after the meeting.