BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 9. Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, plays a key role as a significant source of uranium for Europe, which relies on nuclear energy for a portion of its energy needs, an EU spokesperson told Trend.
The European Union, through a mix of trade agreements and partnerships, works closely with the region on uranium supplies, focusing on energy security, sustainable resource management, and regulatory standards.
The spokesperson explained that the EU’s cooperation with Central Asia on uranium is managed through the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), which ensures that uranium supplies meet "strict safety, security, and non-proliferation standards." They added, "Euratom has established an 'Agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy' with both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan," allowing for the safe and sustainable use of uranium for European energy needs.
In addition to energy cooperation, the EU is committed to strengthening its overall relations with Central Asia, with this partnership being a foreign policy priority" The spokesperson highlighted the 2019 EU Strategy on Central Asia as a foundational step in this ongoing commitment. "The 2019 Strategy laid a strong foundation for our work in fostering resilience, prosperity, and cooperation," the spokesperson noted. This was further reinforced in October 2023 with the adoption of a Joint Roadmap by the EU and Central Asian partners, signaling a shared commitment to pursuing these objectives.
The spokesperson emphasized that tangible progress has already been made in areas like transport and digital connectivity, critical raw materials, and trade relations, with negotiations on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs) advancing. These developments underscore the EU's dedication to expanding cooperation across a range of sectors.
The spokesperson also acknowledged that the global geopolitical landscape, shaped by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, has reinforced the importance of the EU’s relationship with Central Asia. "The growing frequency and intensity of high-level contacts between EU and Central Asian leaders is a testament to this shared understanding," the EU spokesperson concluded.
