EU-Japanese efforts to stabilise C. Asia 'no threat to Russia'

(BERLIN) - The European Union and Japan agreed on Tuesday to work towards fostering stability in the energy-rich but underdeveloped Central Asian countries but stressed their efforts did not threaten Russia.

The talks, led by German Foreign Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso, focused on how to help countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan secure water supplies and improve their healthcare systems.

Steinmeier, whose country currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, said: "Japan and the EU have the advantage that we do not have any interests of power in Central Asia.

"There is a great need for education and training and the development of healthcare systems. We believe we can also work together on the water supply.

"Our efforts in Central Asia are not in any way directed against Russia."

Aso said Uzbekistan "once seemed a long way away from Japan" but direct flights had now been established between the two countries.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the EU's External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner also took part in the talks in Berlin.

The Berlin talks rounded off a marathon day of diplomacy which began with negotiations between EU and Asian foreign ministers from more than 40 countries in the northern German city of Hamburg.

That meeting failed to produce any agreement between Europe and Asia on how to fight global warming, with China saying it refused to be tied to targets on cutting carbon emissions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made climate change one of the major issues at the G8 summit next week in the German town of Heiligendamm.