Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 15 December 2011 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote

Text tabled : A7-0338/2011

  Pino Arlacchi (S&D), in writing. – I voted for this report because, considering that EU assistance funds are too limited to allow the EU to have an impact in all policy areas in Central Asia, I agree with the view that the cornerstones of the EU new approach in the region must be human security and regional cooperation. These issues are among the main sources of instability in Central Asia and can be targeted by EU efforts. In addition to that, I believe an enhanced cooperation between the EU and the five countries of Central Asia is of mutual strategic interest in order to deepen political and economic relations. Furthermore I would like to stress the importance of the implementation of the Central Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone by the five Central Asian Republics. The Treaty, with its binding commitment to nuclear disarmament by countries that previously hosted nuclear weapons on their territory and that have neighbours with nuclear weapons, is a significant contribution to the efforts to achieve a world free from nuclear weapons and a powerful example of non-proliferation cooperation.