After many years of European repair and assistance, five countries of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kvyrguisistan, Tajikistan, Bikemenistan and Uzbekistan – begin strategic turning to Europe.
The EU is looking for reliable partners in the current geopolitical reality in a quick mutation. This is for political, as well as economic reasons, such as trade, investment and energy.
On Thursday and Friday, in the city of Uzbek de Samarkand, the first high-level meeting between the EU and the countries of Central Asia will be held.
In an exclusive interview with Euronews, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavar Mirziyoyev, who was leading the summit, considered the meeting “historical opportunity” for the region.
Over the past seven years, the volume of business between the countries of Central Asia and the EU has increased four times, currently 54 billion euros.
More than 1000 companies with European capital are already working in Uzbekistan, with a joint portfolio of investment projects in the amount of 30 billion euros.
Speaking with Euronews, Deputy Prime Minister of Quirguzistan, Edil Baysalov, called the moment “in the current historical for Central Asia.”
“We have been independent for 34 years. We celebrated it like a new step, ”he said.
“When the current world order is shocked by these great tectonic changes in geopolitics, we need reliable partners.”
One of the main areas of cooperation is a permanent project to create a green strategic corridor through the Caspian and Black Seas to Europe.
The implementation of this initiative will launch a strong basis for what both sides are looking for: mutually beneficial energy connection.