Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Tenth Report - Countries at crossroads: UK engagement in Central Asia
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 1158
Published 10 November 2023
Recommendations
2
Accepted
Para 18
Develop tailored engagement approaches for Central Asian states respecting their independence and sovereignty
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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22
Accepted
Para 84
Produce a clear strategy for trade and investment in Central Asia, involving civil society
Recommendation
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, …
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Government Response Summary
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 for UK businesses across the region.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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23
Accepted
Offer capacity building and legislative assistance to Central Asian states to improve investment environment
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 continuing this work to promote investment opportunities.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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26
Accepted
Para 88
Establish a Central Asia engagement strategy with clear long-term goals and consistent principles.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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27
Accepted
Para 89
Robustly enforce adherence to mutually agreed commitments with Central Asian governments.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 specifying new measures for 'robust enforcement'.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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28
Accepted
Embed clear human rights objectives consistently across all UK engagement programmes.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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Conclusions (3)
4
Conclusion
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 Summary
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.
19
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 73
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 Summary
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 disinformation.
25
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 87
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 Summary
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 forums.