The initiative provides for support for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, in core legal reforms, including reform of the judiciary, and in drawing up effective legislation, for example in the fields of administrative and commercial law.

Within this framework, the EU is committed inter alia to seconding judicial and administrative experts to each of the five countries on both short-term and long-term assignments; provide training opportunities to experts; support the transparent implementation of legal reform; offer the possibility of international exchanges by organising and sponsoring specialised conferences; and facilitate cooperation by Central Asian states with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

During the German EU Presidency, in May 2007, the European Union adopted the Strategy for a new partnership’ with the Central Asian countries. The document sets several objectives aimed at enhancing cooperation with participating Asian countries, including the establishment of the EU Rule of Law Initiative. It also calls for the establishment of regular regional political dialogue at foreign minister level; the launch of a European Education Initiative’ and regular, result-oriented human rights and energy dialogue.

The launch of the EU Rule of Law Initiative for Central Asia took place on the sidelines of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, on 28 November, with the participation of French Minister of Justice Rachida Dati.