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European Union Tajikistan President Rahmon EU Grants Foreign Affairs EU Funding

Tajikistan to Modernize Energy, Cotton, and Education Sectors with EU Grants

On March 14, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela arrived in Tajikistan. He met with President Emomali Rahmon to reaffirm the European Union’s commitment to the country through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. During their meeting, Síkela and Rahmon discussed the state and future of EU-Tajikistan relations, as well as pressing regional issues. Their talks focused on expanding economic and trade ties, attracting investments in industry and agriculture, and securing funding for hydropower projects. Rahmon emphasized Tajikistan’s commitment to green technologies and its goal of generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources under the Strategy for the Development of the Green Economy until 2037. EU’s New Funding for Tajikistan During his visit, Síkela announced several new EU funding initiatives aimed at strengthening Tajikistan’s sustainable development. According to the EU Delegation to Tajikistan, two key agreements were signed with Team Europe partners to drive sustainability efforts in the country: A €20 million investment grant with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to modernize Tajikistan’s electricity grid, reduce energy losses, and prepare for future renewable energy investments. This aligns with the EU’s broader goal of enhancing energy security and supporting the green transition in Central Asia. A €20 million grant with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the German Agency for International Cooperation, to promote sustainability in Tajikistan’s cotton sector. The initiative will support certified sustainable cotton production, improve processing for high-quality exports, and create new opportunities for the domestic private sector. Additionally, the EU announced a €10 million disbursement as part of a larger €30 million budget support program. This funding will help implement the National Strategy for Education Development 2030 and the Programme for Professional Training of Citizens 2021-2025, improving the quality and relevance of both general secondary education and vocational training. As part of his visit, Síkela toured the Rogun Hydropower Plant, a crucial project for Tajikistan’s energy infrastructure. “With its Global Gateway strategy, the EU is investing in Tajikistan’s future by supporting critical infrastructure upgrades, expanding renewable energy capacity, and modernizing key industries such as cotton production,” Síkela stated. “These investments will reduce energy losses, create jobs, and open new export markets”.

Turkmenistan European Union Economic Cooperation EU Global Getaway

Visit by EU’s Sikela Strengthens Global Gateway Partnership with Turkmenistan

On March 12, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela visited Turkmenistan, as part of the European Union’s work to expand cooperation under the Global Gateway strategy. The visit focused on transport connectivity, renewable energy, and trade facilitation, aiming to integrate Turkmenistan into regional and global economic networks, according to the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan. Global Gateway and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor The Global Gateway strategy is the EU’s initiative to bridge global investment gaps by promoting sustainable connectivity in digital, energy, and transport sectors, while strengthening education and research systems. The initiative seeks to mobilize €300 billion in public and private investments between 2021 and 2027, fostering sustainable growth and resilient partnerships worldwide. A key topic during Síkela’s meetings with Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov was the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a strategic route enhancing connectivity between Central Asia and Europe. Síkela reaffirmed the EU’s support for Turkmenistan’s role in this corridor, emphasizing its potential to create faster, more secure trade routes. “We see Turkmenistan as a key partner for building stronger connections between Europe and Central Asia. By working together under the Global Gateway, especially through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, we are creating faster, more secure trade routes that will open new opportunities for businesses, attract investments, and create jobs. Our joint efforts aim to cut trade times between Europe and Asia to only 15 days, while helping Turkmenistan become an important hub for commerce between Asia and Europe.” According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, Berdimuhamedov highlighted the Turkmenbashi Port as a vital transit hub on the Caspian coast, offering a direct link to the Black Sea, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region. While in Turkmenistan, Síkela visited the Turkmenbashi Port, where he met with Mammethan Chakyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting infrastructure modernization and regulatory alignment to international standards. Energy and Climate Cooperation As part of the visit, two key initiatives were launched under the EU-Turkmenistan bilateral cooperation facility: A €6 million project, implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), will support Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and promote economic modernization. A €4.5 million initiative, implemented by GIZ, aims to advance renewable energy development, reduce methane emissions, and improve energy efficiency. Síkela also welcomed Turkmenistan’s accession to the Global Methane Pledge, stressing the importance of emissions reduction and sustainable energy solutions for fostering a greener economy. The EU’s technical and financial assistance will further support Turkmenistan’s efforts to align with international trade and environmental standards.

European Union Diplomatic Talks Foreign Affairs Turkmenistan

EU Expands Engagement with Turkmenistan Amid Regional Focus

The European Union (EU) is deepening its engagement with Turkmenistan, as demonstrated by the recent visit of Eduards Stiprais, the newly appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia. Stiprais arrived in Ashgabat from March 4 to 6, just three days after his appointment, highlighting the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties with Turkmenistan and the broader Central Asian region. High-Level Diplomatic Talks According to the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan, Stiprais held a series of high-level meetings to discuss EU-Turkmenistan cooperation, regional stability, and multilateral engagement. He met with Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, to exchange views on the current state and future prospects of their bilateral relationship. Discussions focused on economic cooperation, security, and regional collaboration. The Turkmen Foreign Ministry reported that Meredov and Stiprais also explored joint efforts in energy, transport and connectivity, and environmental protection. Key topics included methane emission reduction initiatives and the development of renewable energy sources. Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding trade and economic ties, advancing humanitarian and educational projects, and fostering stronger collaboration between Turkmen and European institutions and scientific centers. Upcoming Visit of European Commissioner Jozef Síkela The EU Delegation to Turkmenistan has announced that next week, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela will visit Turkmenistan as the first stop on his March 12-18 tour of the five Central Asian countries. His trip is aimed at strengthening the EU-Central Asia partnership ahead of the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for April 3-4, 2025. During his visit, Síkela will meet with government officials and private sector representatives and will tour Turkmenbashi Port, a key hub for the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Commenting on the visit, Síkela stated: “Central Asia is an important partner for the European Union, and our cooperation offers great potential for the future. More than ever, current global challenges emphasize the need for solid partnerships, and that is exactly what I aim to strengthen during my mission. My goal is to focus on key Global Gateway projects, which the EU and Central Asian partners are advancing together to create quality jobs, unlock new business opportunities, and improve essential services, from education to modern infrastructure.”

Multi-vector Foreign Policy Sanctions Diplomacy European Union

EU Sanctions Envoy’s Kazakh Visit Signals Rising Stakes

On January 30, David O’Sullivan, the European Union’s Special Envoy for Sanctions, made his fourth visit to Kazakhstan. Following the visit, he gave a briefing in Astana, where he discussed the new sanctions package, which could theoretically include Kazakh companies that assist Russia in circumventing restrictions. What O’Sullivan Said According to O'Sullivan, only companies with indisputable evidence against them of involvement in violations will added to the sanctions list. “We are currently working on preparing a new, 16th package of sanctions. It is possible that Kazakh companies may be added to the list, but no decision has been made yet. We conduct a detailed analysis of companies, examine their trade relations, and review the goods they have previously traded. Of course, we prefer to work with governments to find a systematic solution rather than simply adding individual companies to the list. However, when there is no other option, we do add them,” O’Sullivan explained. The EU Sanctions Envoy reiterated that the EU remains one of Kazakhstan’s key economic partners, with mutual trade turnover reaching nearly 40 billion euros per annum. The EU accounts for 38% of Kazakhstan’s exports and 55 billion euros in direct foreign investments. Highlighting the importance of economic ties, O’Sullivan stated that the EU fully respects Kazakhstan’s position on sanctions, but urged authorities to take strict measures against third-party entities using the country’s trade channels. “We have concerns that unscrupulous actors may try to use Kazakhstan as a platform to circumvent our sanctions,” O’Sullivan warned, pointing to the import of high-tech goods such as microchips, sensors, and circuits, which have been found in Russian drones, missiles, and artillery shells. O'Sullivan noted that these goods, listed in an open “common high-priority list” of 50 codes, are not produced in Kazakhstan but are allegedly being re-exported from EU and G7 countries through Kazakh intermediaries. While they make up less than 1% of Kazakhstan’s total trade volume, O’Sullivan emphasized that these are “lethal products that kill innocent Ukrainian civilians.” The special envoy recalled that in 2024, the EU blacklisted two Kazakh companies and issued a warning that this list could be expanded. He noted that particular attention is being given to companies that emerged immediately after the invasion of Ukraine and the start of the new sanctions regime. “These are usually not well-established, well-known companies with a long history of trading. The fact that a company was created right after the invasion and the imposition of sanctions suggests that its sole purpose may be to evade sanctions,” he stated while stressing that merely registering after 2022 is not sufficient grounds for inclusion on the sanctions list. Strategically Important Central Asia Given the statistics cited by O’Sullivan, there was no pressing need for his fourth personal visit to Kazakhstan. The blacklisting of two Kazakh companies last year went largely unnoticed by the country’s general public. However, his visit highlights the mechanisms of international politics set in motion following Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the opening gambits of his administration,...

International Diplomacy Economic Cooperation International investment Export International Cooperation European Union

Uzbekistan Proposes 10-Year Extension of Duty Free Export Benefits to the EU

On December 4-5, Uzbekistan participated for the first time in the meeting of the General Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) working group of the European Union in Brussels. The meeting included representatives from 28 EU member states and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT). Uzbekistan’s delegation highlighted the progress made since becoming a GSP+ beneficiary in 2021. During this time, the country’s exports to the EU nearly tripled, reaching $1.15 billion. Of the 6,200 products eligible for duty-free export, approximately 1,100 - primarily agricultural, textile, and chemical goods - are exported regularly. To further enhance market stability and competitiveness, the delegation proposed adding new fruits and vegetables to the list of preferred goods and revising seasonal export quotas. They also recommended extending the GSP+ preferential trade regime for an additional ten years to foster long-term economic ties with the EU. During the visit, Uzbek representatives held talks with European Commission officials to improve access to Uzbek products, adjust quotas for rolling metals, and secure technical assistance to align with EU standards. These discussions mark a significant step in expanding trade and economic cooperation under the GSP+ framework.

Ecology Waste Recycling Waste Management Environment China EBRD European Union

Solid Waste Recycling Plant Under Construction in Bishkek

Bishkek municipality has announced progress on the construction of a solid waste recycling plant at the city’s sanitary landfill, supported by a Chinese investor. Concrete foundations are being poured, and equipment and components for the facility have begun arriving from China. Currently, over 180 Chinese workers and engineers are active at the site. On March 29, Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers and the Chinese investor signed an agreement for the plant’s construction. The facility will generate electricity by incinerating municipal solid waste. In its initial phase, the plant is expected to process 1,000 tons of waste daily, with plans to increase capacity to 3,000 tons per day. The project’s total investment amounts to approximately $95 million, with construction slated for completion in December 2025. Addressing a Growing Problem Solid waste disposal has long been a critical issue in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in Bishkek, the nation’s largest city. According to the 24.kg news agency, the per capita production of waste is rising. Almaz Oskonbaev, an official from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, reported that 1.792 million tons of solid waste were collected nationwide in 2023, a significant increase from 1.177 million tons in 2019. This equates to approximately 279 kilograms of garbage per person annually. Bishkek’s sanitary landfill currently receives around 200 tons of waste daily from the city and its suburbs, according to landfill director Nurlan Jumaliev. A New Landfill to Complement Recycling Efforts In a bid to improve waste management, Bishkek inaugurated a new sanitary landfill on October 31, 2023. Supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU), this facility complies with both national and EU environmental standards. With a storage capacity of 1.9 million cubic meters, it is expected to accommodate the city’s waste disposal needs for at least a decade. The construction of the recycling plant represents a significant step forward in addressing Bishkek’s mounting waste challenges while contributing to sustainable energy production.