Dear friends,

It has been a deep honour to serve as the EU Special Representative for Central Asia for the past three and a half years.

I have had the privilege to meet countless hardworking and talented individuals across Central Asia, including civil society representatives, media, researchers, business people, and government officials who tirelessly work for a better future in the region.

During this time, we have witnessed a remarkable strengthening of the relationship between the European Union and Central Asia, and I am grateful to have been part of this transformation. When I began in 2021, few could have predicted the profound changes reshaping the geopolitical landscape. Current realities encourage us to strengthen our partnerships meaningfully.

I am optimistic about the future of EU-Central Asia relations. Our partnership has grown stronger and more interconnected than ever before, guided by our strategic documents – the 2019 Strategy and the 2023 Joint Roadmap. Together with strong political will, these documents advance our dialogue and collaboration across various sectors, including energy, climate, digital connectivity, and security.

Notably, we have made significant progress in economic cooperation; the EU has become a key trade partner for the region, increasing imports from Central Asia and exports to it. The EU is now the second-largest trading partner and biggest investor and donor in Central Asia. Socio-economic growth remains a top priority for reform processes in Central Asia, supported by our streamlined assistance across sectors. I am encouraged by the increased engagement of EU Member States with the region. They are close allies of Central Asia and understand the importance of this relationship.

Perhaps most encouraging has been witnessing steady evolution in intra-regional cooperation among Central Asian countries. There is clear recognition of the advantages of working together as a unified region. I am pleased that we are also close allies in multilateral discussions, such as those at the UN or Human Rights Council. We share a commitment to effective multilateralism based on UN principles.

Looking ahead to 2025, we anticipate an active agenda with milestones like the first-ever EUCentral Asia Summit and regular regional meetings such as the Civil Society Forum and Economic Forum. The foundations we have laid provide a solid base for deeper engagement.

To my Central Asian colleagues and friends, I encourage you to continue the path of regional integration. Your strength lies in unity. To my European colleagues, I urge you to maintain and enhance our engagement with Central Asia—its strategic importance cannot be overstated.

Thank you for your trust, cooperation, and friendship over these years. As I return to Helsinki to work for my government, I want to underline that this is not goodbye! We will meet again!

Ambassador Terhi Hakala, EU Special Representative for Central Asia

European Union, 2024