On Wednesday 17 January, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margarítis Schinás, concluded his visit to the five countries of Central Asia with the aim of strengthening the partnership between the EU and the region, promoting the EU’s ‘Global Gateway’ strategy (see EUROPE 13280/6) and preparing the next investors’ forum on transport connectivity between the two regions on 29 and 30 January.
Mr Schinás began his mission on Monday 15 January in Kazakhstan, where he met the Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov, the Minister of Transport and the President of the Senate in Astana. On the social network X, he praised the country as “a model of modernisation and reform”.
He then travelled to Bishkek, where he met Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss the Global Gateway strategy.
On Tuesday 16 January, he met Afghan female students in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He also held talks with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, commenting after the meeting: “Whether it’s trade, connectivity or security, our partnership is set to flourish”.
Earlier in the day, Mr Schinás was in Tajikistan, where he held talks with the Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other members of the government.
The mission of the Vice-President of the Commission ended on Wednesday 17 January in Turkmenistan, in the presence of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Although connectivity issues were at the centre of discussions during the three-day mission, Mr Schinás and his interlocutors also looked at issues relating to energy, climate change and security threats, including the fight against terrorism. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)