00:00European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikula visited five Central Asian countries
00:05as part of the European Union's effort to deepen its cooperation with Central Asia.
00:10His main goal?
00:11To advance the Global Gateway Strategy, an initiative aimed at mobilizing 300 billion
00:15euro of investments globally.
00:17In Central Asia, it focuses on four key areas – transport, critical raw materials, digital
00:22connectivity and sustainable energy.
00:25There is a huge untapped potential.
00:28We already have a pretty good base.
00:30We want to not only increase our presence, but we want to contribute to the economic
00:36development of the whole region.
00:39Commissioner Sikula's visit was also marked by the signing of multiple contracts.
00:43In Kazakhstan, he witnessed the signing of a 200 million euro framework loan agreement
00:47between the European Investment Bank and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan.
00:51And this visit in the region should basically not only underline the importance of the region
00:59and the importance of the European and Central Asia connections, but this is also about concrete
01:07things like today's signature of two major agreements.
01:13In Turkmenistan, discussions centered on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a key trade
01:17route linking Central Asia and Europe.
01:19Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan focused on expanding hydropower and renewable energy, while Uzbekistan
01:24signed two major agreements to improve connectivity, especially in rural areas.
01:29Beyond economic ties, the purpose of Sikula's visit was also to discuss the preparation
01:33of the first EU-Central Asia Summit, which will take place in Uzbekistan in April.
Comments