Fergana Agency: Presidents of 4 Central Asian countries met with EU leaders in Samarkanda

The Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, who arrived at the summit of Central Asia – the European Union, held bilateral talks with the Heads of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and improvement (EBRD).

According to the press office of Kazakh president Kasyma-Żomart Tokayev, the politician met with the president of the European Council António Costa. As Tokayev pointed out, the EU is the largest trading partner and abroad investor, liable for more than 40% of full direct investment. Last year, trade between Kazakhstan and EU countries amounted to EUR 50 billion, representing 80% of EU trade with all Central Asia. Given these indicators, the parties discussed further strengthening economical ties and a global partnership based on trust, strategical interests and long-term prospects. The president of Kazakhstan besides met with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Tokayev stated that energy, infrastructure and industrial projects, transport and logistics, as well as the improvement of innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence, are key areas of cooperation with Europe. Von der Leyen in turn stressed the importance of the improvement of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and congratulated Tokayev on the discovery of a large deposit of uncommon earths in Kazakhstan.

The press office of the Kyrgyz president Sadyr Żaparov informed of negotiations with EBRD president Odile Renaud-Basso. Zaparov thanked his interlocutor for his crucial contribution to the improvement of the energy sector of the republic. Especially for the work on the establishment of the Donor Coordination Committee supporting a strategical infrastructure task – the construction of the Kambar-Ata-1 Water Power Plant. The president of Kyrgyzstan stressed the importance of the EBRD in the area of green economy and biodiversity protection. According to him, the region undertook to cooperate closely with global financial institutions to address environmental problems and reduce the impact of climate change. Reno-Basso pointed out that the EBRD remains 1 of the largest investors in Kyrgyzstan. She added that from the beginning of the cooperation the full value of investments in the country had reached around $1 billion. "Last year, 52 million dollars were invested in the real economy of the country. We are presently considering the anticipation of expanding funding. 11 projects have already been signed for 2024, most of which concern the energy and irrigation sector" – concluded the head of the financial institution. She besides announced the launch of a task to increase access to clean drinking water. The full investment in this initiative will be $100 million. The EBRD is besides expected to support the reconstruction of the Kara-Balta-Czaldybar road, which will supply access to the transcaspian global route.

The president of Tajikistan, Emomali Rachmon, has already met with all leaders of EU institutions. In his conversation with Costa Rachmon, he stated that the European Union is 1 of his country's crucial global partners. This is especially about cooperation on projects to rebuild and build hydro-energy facilities. Rachmon stressed that Dushanbe is curious in attracting European investments and technologies to build the Rogun Water Power Plant and modernise the Nurek Water Power Plant. The president of the European Council, stressing the importance of solving border problems between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, congratulated the president and the People of Tajikistan on this historical event. In an interview with von der Leyen, the leader of Tajikistan assured the head of the European Commission that the country would proceed to cooperate as part of an interregional road map. He besides expressed his willingness to participate in a satellite connection between the EU and Central Asia. In addition, as Rachmon said, his country will be able to duly welcome guests from Europe who will fly to Dushanbe in May for the global Conference on Ice Protection. At a gathering with Odile Renaud-Basso, Tajikistan's president announced that EBRD had implemented 184 projects in Tajikistan with a full value of over $1 billion. This includes programmes on strengthening the financial system, private sector development, transport and energy. Rachmon and the bank's head agreed to proceed their cooperation, focusing on the Green Agenda.

AlsoTurkmenistan president Serdar Berdymuchamedow held talks with Odile Renaud-Basso in Samarkand. The Parties stressed the effective and long-term nature of the partnership, reaffirming their interest in continuing it. Cooperation is presently of interestin energy, transport and the digital economy.

The first EU-Central Asia Summit was held in Samarkand on 3-4 April. They took it.Participation of the president of the European Council António Costa, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, leader of Uzbekistan – Szawkat Mirzijoev, Kazakhstan – Kasym-Żomart Tokaev, Kyrgyzstan – Sadyr Żaparov, Tajikistan – Emomali Rachmon and Turkmenistan – Serdar Berdymuchamedow. The summit, held under the heading “Investment in the Future”, took partalso the heads of the European Bank for Reconstruction and improvement and the European Investment Bank.

Source: Fergana Agency

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