The European Commissioner for International Partners Jozef Síkela visited the Central Asia international locations to advance the worldwide Gateway funding technique.
The European Commissioner for worldwide partnerships Jozef Síkela ended a go to strictly within the 5 international locations of Central Asia, the place he met excessive -ranking officers and signed a number of agreements to strengthen the worldwide technique of the Gateway.
The initiative, which goals to mobilize 300 billion euros all around the world, focuses on 4 key sectors in Central Asia: transport, vital uncooked supplies, digital connectivity and sustainable vitality.
“There is a gigantic unused potential. This go to to the Region shouldn’t solely underline the significance of the Region and the significance of European and central connections of Central Asia, this additionally considerations concrete issues. And we wish not solely to extend our presence, however contribute to the financial improvement of the complete area,” Síkela stated to Euronews.
He underlined the distinctive place of Central Asia, detecting his nations with out outlet on the ocean, the challenges posed by partial sanctions and the proximity to international locations resembling Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and China – regardless of the Central Asia shares the dedication of the EU in direction of the United Nations Charter and the State of legislation, making it an necessary accomplice in an more and more fragmented world.
The go to of the commissioner started in Turkmenistan, the place the discussions centered on the trans-chaspian transport hall, an important financial means that connects Europe and central Asia. He additionally welcomed the adhesion of Turkmenistan to the worldwide dedication of methane, along with the signature of two agreements, additionally in renewable vitality.
In Kazakhstan, a 200 million euro image mortgage was signed to finance sustainable tasks between the European funding financial institution and the Kazakhstan improvement financial institution.
The discussions additionally included vital uncooked supplies and curiosity of Europe in guaranteeing important sources for its inexperienced and digital transition.
“On the one hand, we’d like uncooked supplies for the European inexperienced and digital transition. On the opposite aspect, we’d like wealthy international locations (in uncooked supplies) to have probably the most trendy and pleasant methods to extract. So, we’re providing technical assist, feasibility and revolutionary applied sciences from European firms,” stated Síkela.
Energy improvement was on the heart of the Tagikistan scene, the place an settlement of 20 million euros was signed with the European financial institution for reconstruction and improvement (bebr) to modernize the nation’s vitality system and develop renewable vitality sources.
At the identical time, the EBRD offered 42 million euros to Kyrgyzstan for the useful resource water sources program, geared toward enhancing the administration of water sources.
In Uzbekistan, digital connectivity was a key focus, with two agreements signed to develop rural entry to the Internet. The initiative features a subsidy of 34.4 million euros and a mortgage of 25.35 million euros per SES, a satellite tv for pc firm primarily based in Europe, to deliver broadband web to distant areas in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
“This glorious initiative goes past connectivity, opens the doorways to schooling, to the alternatives for well being and financial help, serving to to deliver the digital hole and information international connectivity,” stated the vice -president of IB Kyriakos Kakoug after the signature.
Another essential component of Síkela’s go to to Uzbekistan was to ensure preparations for the primary summit of Asia-Centro-European, set for the start of April.
The agenda will embody interregional cooperation, commerce and funding alternatives, in addition to discussions on international safety challenges such because the War of Russia in Ukraine and the change in US insurance policies.
