The conference "Central Asia and Europe: new economic partnership for the 21st century" was held in Berlin, Germany, on 13 November.

The conference was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany conjointly with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Central Asia has increasingly moved into the focus of European and international politics and will gain further importance in the future. Having established their independence more than 15 years ago the states of Central Asia have so far made considerable progress in their political and economic transformation. Being land-locked, with important neighbours, the Central Asian States have shown great interest in the European Union in order to profit from the European experience in regional cooperation and development.

The European Union has a strong interest in a strengthened cooperation and partnership with the Central Asian States. Re-establishing the transport and communications links between Europe and Asia along the “Silk Road” could revive the economic potential of the Central Asian States. The oil and gas resources of Central Asia could contribute to Europe’s security of supply.

Germany as EU Presidency in the first half of 2007 therefore initiated an EU Strategy for Central Asia in order to strengthen and to focus the European approach towards the region. The EU Heads of State and Government adopted the strategy on 22 June 2007.

The Conference “Central Asia and Europe: a New Economic Partnership for the 21st Century” shall serve as a first major stock-taking event after the adoption of the EU Central Asia Strategy. The focus was on the promotion of economic development, trade, investment, as well as regional economic integration, since these are crucial elements for regional stabilization and the development of stable societies in Central Asia. Since foreign direct investment, especially in the non-oil sector, is crucial for the diversification and sustainable development of Central Asian economies, an important role in the Conference should be given to the representatives of the business community.

On 12-14 November, Berlin also hosts a meeting of the project working group of the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) and SPECA Governing Council.

The SPECA was launched in 1998 to strengthen sub regional cooperation in Central Asia and its integration into the world economy. The members of SPECA are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.