Recommendations & Conclusions
9 items
2
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
All five Central Asian states are rightly proud of their distinct cultural heritages and histories. Each has unique assets and strengths and fiercely defends its sovereignty. It is important that the UK Government both respects and encourages the independence of the Central Asian countries from their dominating neighbours. The Government …
Government response. The government agrees and states they have already tailored approaches and re-energised relationships with Central Asian states, committing to further deepen bilateral relationships in 2024.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
We agree that Russia’s renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s scramble to secure willing partners is a key concern of the UK and must influence foreign policy toward Central Asia. However, the UK’s engagement with Central Asian countries and the relationships invested in must not succumb, once again, to …
Government response. The government agrees that its relationships with Central Asian countries extend beyond a single issue and details specific multi-million pound development, peace and security, climate, and private sector growth programs, including a new £18m fund launching in 2024.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
19
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
Russian disinformation is a threat to both the UK and its Central Asian partners. The insidious messages spread by the Russian state have a powerful impact on how the older generation views the renewed illegal invasion of Ukraine and the nature of UK engagement in their countries. It also poses …
Government response. The government agrees, detailing existing FCDO initiatives like the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate’s Resilience Programme and the Information Threats and Influence Directorate, and states they are actively working to extend these programmes to Central Asia to counter Russian …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
22
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
There are opportunities for increased trade and investment for UK companies in Central Asian states. Policies on investment should be clearer and calibrated to its efforts to curb corruption in-country and in the City of London, its ministerial engagement programme, its ethical principles and work to ensure the resilience of …
Government response. The government agrees, outlining their current trade and investment approach for Central Asia which blends foreign policy and trade targets, focusing on strategic sectors like Education, Critical Minerals, Infrastructure and Capital Markets. They provide examples of ongoing collaboration and support …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
23
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
The investment environment in Central Asian states is still far from attractive to many would-be investors. There is much more the UK Government could do to improve the situation. We recommend that capacity building for civil servants and practical assistance in policy and legislation formulation be a central offer made …
Government response. The government partially agrees, explaining that its existing Effective Governance for Economic Development (EGED) programme and targeted non-ODA support from DBT already help improve the business environment and assist with regulation and process in Central Asian states. They commit to …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
25
Conclusion
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
Governments in the respective Central Asian states are forthright diplomatic actors, fully aware of the importance and potential of their nations and the region in the geopolitical manoeuvrings of this decade. The UK is well positioned to be a reliable long-term partner and critical friend. It can afford to be …
Government response. The government partially agrees, stating that the UK's ambition, resources, and senior ministerial engagement in Central Asia are increasing, along with their footprint. This enables them to openly discuss issues like human rights and sanctions circumvention in bilateral and multilateral …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
26
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
It is important that UK engagement in Central Asia is responsive to what the citizens of the various states want and need. Change in any political sphere in Central Asia is unlikely to take place rapidly, and UK influence is more likely to be successful if it is based on …
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation and is updating its high-level regional strategy for Central Asia to reflect current realities and address economic challenges impacting programme spend. They state previous investments have increased the UK's profile in the region.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
27
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
The UK Government needs to be clear-eyed and discerning in its engagement with Central Asian governments, all of which fully understand that there is international competition for their cooperation. There are likely to be many issues which the UK will not be able to cooperate on given the nature of …
Government response. The government partially agrees, asserting that human rights and governance are vital to their work in Central Asia and detailing existing efforts. They highlight their current engagement, support for civil society, and programmatic work to strengthen rights and freedoms without …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
28
Recommendation
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads:…
Accepted
Progress on human rights will depend on creative approaches to dialogue that respect the sovereignty and heritage of these countries yet empower them to meet their obligations to internationally-agreed rights. The UK Government should ensure that clear objectives relating to human rights are consistently embedded across its programme of engagement. …
Government response. The government partially agrees, stating that human rights and governance are already vital elements of the UK's work in Central Asia. They describe ongoing efforts through embassies, NGOs, multilateral organizations, and programmes like EGED, indicating current practices address the recommendation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office