Today's EU-Central Asia summit ended with the announcement of a €12 billion aid package for the EU's “strategic partnership” with Central Asian countries.
The investment package includes €2.5 billion for critical raw materials in the region, €3 billion for the development of the Middle Corridor – a trade route linking China with Europe via Central Asian countries, €6.4 billion for environmental projects and €100 million for digital connectivity.
At the summit's closing press conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the partnership, which will benefit both Central Asia and the EU, which wants to invest in the local economies of these resource-rich countries.
This is a “different approach” compared to China or Russia, “which extract raw materials without any added value” for Central Asia, von der Leyen added.
Caught between Russia, which has historical ties to the region, and China, which has a strong influence on the region's economy, Brussels has sought to strengthen its presence in Central Asia in the wake of the war in Ukraine, hosting several bi-regional meetings and summits.
(Germany)
Source: Source
