Although there is competition with China, interests overlap on some issues in Central Asia, said EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais during his speech at a special session held within the framework of the 13th Global Baku Forum, APA reports.
The EU official noted that although the sides are not formal partners, they sometimes act as situational allies on certain issues.
According to him, one of the main areas of shared interest for both sides is stability and security in the region, while another is the development of regional connectivity and transport corridors.
He added that the activities of the European Union and China in these areas often complement each other. “We do not jointly coordinate projects, but in a certain sense our activities naturally complement each other.”
The diplomat emphasized that the European side’s main focus is on the development of transnational transport routes, particularly connections extending from Europe to Central Asia. China, meanwhile, is more focused on developing connections in the eastern part of the region.
As an example, the EU official cited the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project: “This line could connect to the existing railway network stretching from China through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to Türkiye, thereby expanding transport links across Eurasia.”
He also noted that security issues in the region are in the focus of both the European Union and China. In particular, security risks on the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border raise concerns: “The European Union is already implementing a large project to strengthen the protection of Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan. Within the framework of the project, about 800 kilometers of the 1,400-kilometer border line are being equipped with monitoring and surveillance equipment.”
The EU official added that China has also begun supporting the strengthening of border security for the remaining sections. He pointed out that this cooperation is not the result of previously planned coordination, but rather a consequence of shared security interests in the region.
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