AKIPRESS.COM - In the framework of the Rule of Law Initiative of the EU–Central Asia Strategy, the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in close cooperation with France and Germany as coordinators of the Initiative, is organising the Fifth Conference on Rule of Law of the Ministers of Justice of Central Asia and the European Union.

The Conference will take place on 7 December 2017 in Brussels with the support of the European Commission's Rule of Law Platform project.

The Ministerial Conference will take stock of recent development in Access to Justice in Central Asian countries and in France and Germany, specifically focusing on Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms (ADR). It will also follow up on the implementation of the Joint Ministerial Declaration adopted in 2014 by the EU-Central Asian Ministers of Justice.

In June 2017, the EU Council announced a comprehensive review of the EU Strategy for Central Asia for 2019 and underlined in its conclusions the importance of prioritising even further the rule of law cooperation in the EU Strategy.

Bringing together participants from the Central Asian and EU Member States at ministerial and technical levels, the Ministerial Conference will confirm EU’s engagement in Central Asia and will further enhance dialogue and exchange of experience.