Josef Sikela. Photo: asiaplustj.info
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Josef Sikela will visit five former Soviet republics in Central Asia from March 12 to 18. The trip aims to expand the scope of the Global Gateway investment strategy, which focuses on job creation and sustainable economic growth, according to the website of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan.
Sikela will begin his regional tour in Turkmenistan, where he is scheduled to meet with government officials and private sector representatives. His itinerary also includes a visit to the Turkmenbashi port, a strategic hub for the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
Next, he will travel to Kazakhstan to attend the signing of bilateral and regional agreements on transport and critical raw materials. The commissioner will also engage with business leaders.
In Tajikistan, Sikela will sign agreements on projects supporting the country’s transition to green energy and the local cotton value chain. His visit will also include a trip to the Rogun Hydropower Plant.
In Kyrgyzstan, he will discuss joint initiatives in water supply, energy, transportation, and human capital development. Talks will also cover the country's investment cooperation with international financial institutions such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The discussion is expected to include support for the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant.
The commissioner will conclude his tour in Uzbekistan. His visit there will include a trip to the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, meetings with local and European business representatives, and the signing of agreements in the field of digital connectivity.
«Central Asia is a key partner for the European Union, and our cooperation holds great potential for the future. Today’s global challenges highlight more than ever the need for strong partnerships, and that is exactly what I aim to strengthen during my mission,» Sikela stated.
Global Gateway is the EU’s strategy to reduce global investment disparities and promote smart, clean, and secure connections in the digital, energy, and transport sectors while strengthening healthcare, education, and research systems.
