EU Announces $13.2 Billion Aid Package for Central Asia at Samarkand Summit
The European Union (EU) has announced a massive investment package of 12 billion euros (US$13.2 billion) for the Central Asian region as part of its Global Gateway investment program. The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following the historic Central Asia-EU Summit on April 4 in Samarkand.
The investment package includes four main priorities. The flagship project is the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, with an investment of 10 billion euros (US$11 billion aimed at bringing the regions closer together.
The second priority focuses on climate, energy, and water. The EU plans to build dams to support the region’s water and energy security, while also working on creating a new green belt in the Aral Sea basin to rejuvenate the area.
Digital connectivity is the third priority, with the EU partnering with Central Asia to bring the Internet to remote areas, schools, and hospitals using satellites. This year alone, the EU plans to connect 2,000 schools and hundreds of villages in Kazakhstan to European satellites, with further expansion planned for the region in the coming years.
The fourth element of the investment package is critical raw materials needed for the clean transition and economy of the future. The EU has signed Memoranda of Understanding on critical minerals with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and endorsed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Raw Materials to support the development of local value chains and create jobs in the region.
Overall, the EU aims to support the growth and development of Central Asia through this investment package, promoting cooperation and sustainable economic growth in the region.
