EU urged to put human rights centre stage at first central Asia summit

The EU is being urged to put human rights centre stage as it begins its first summit with the leaders of central Asia. The president of the European Council, Antà³nio Costa, and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, are meeting the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on Friday. Hosted by Uzbekistan's president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the group will discuss trade, counter-terrorism, climate and energy ties in Samarkand, a stop on the ancient Silk Road linking Asia and the west that is now a symbol of rapid development in the region. Ties between the EU…