David Cameron Outlines UK Priorities for Central Asia Relations

During a visit to Central Asia, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron outlined three key priorities for strengthening the UK's partnership with the region: global security, economic cooperation, and education.

On global security, Cameron emphasized the need to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and OSCE, tackle corruption, and deepen security partnerships to counter threats like ISIS. He acknowledged that Russia is using Central Asia to circumvent sanctions and said the UK wants to work with countries in the region to end this practice. Cameron cautioned that items that could be used for Russia's war machine should not be exported from the UK to neighboring states only to be sent on to Moscow.

Regarding economic cooperation, Cameron highlighted the UK's role in harnessing the region's natural resource potential and announced the establishment of a Central Asia SME private equity fund. He also announced a doubling of funding for Chevening scholarships to support overseas students studying in British universities, as well as £50 million in development spending across the region over the next three years.

Why this matters: Cameron's visit signals a bid to limit the influence of powers like China and Russia in the region and encourage countries to look westward for partnerships with the UK. Central Asia is at the epicenter of some of the biggest challenges facing the UK and the world, making engagement with the region vital for driving future prosperity and addressing shared challenges.

In the area of education, Cameron announced support for UK universities and education providers to raise standards in the region, particularly for women and girls. A new scheme will be launched to promote the English language in Central Asia, including online teaching resources with tailored local content available to teachers.

During his trip, the first by a British foreign secretary to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, Cameron visited key sites like the Nurek Dam in Tajikistan. He also discussed issues of press freedom, civil society, human rights, and reform with regional leaders. "The world is more dangerous, more difficult, more disputed, and more competitive," Cameron said, emphasizing the need for the UK to engage with the region.

Cameron's visit to Central Asia, which also includes stops in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, aims to boost trade, security, and environmental ties with the UK. The Foreign Secretary announced measures to support the region's sovereignty, including doubling funding for Chevening scholarships and providing £50 million in development spending over the next three years. The engagement underscores the UK's efforts to strengthen its partnership with Central Asian nations and address shared challenges through greater cooperation in security, economic ties, and education.

Key Takeaways

• UK seeks to strengthen partnership with Central Asia on security, economy, education
• UK aims to limit influence of powers like China, Russia in the region
• UK to double Chevening scholarships and provide £50M in development spending
• UK to support English language teaching and raise education standards in the region
• Cameron's visit signals UK's efforts to engage with Central Asia on shared challenges