Europe and Central Asia meet in Biškek on economy
First economic forum between the European Union and the countries of the region. Six agreements signed. Focus on "green" economy. Technological collaboration also launched. Strong activism by Hungary. Kazakh and Kyrgyz coordinate their policies towards the EU.
Moscow (AsiaNews) - The Kyrgyz capital Biškek hosted the first "European Union-Central Asia" Economic Forum, attended by over 250 local and international entrepreneurs, representing over 40 major companies operating in the region. The initiative ended with the signing of six agreements in the field of construction of new hydropower plants, agricultural development, education and "green" economy.
From November 5 to 7, participants discussed mainly the topics of ecological transition and information technology. The guests were welcomed by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Žaparov, who spoke of "a new stage in the expansion of cooperation between Europe and Central Asia". Žaparov remarked that "the Covid-19 pandemic has strengthened us in the idea that joint efforts can really lead to great results, instead of trying to go it alone."
On the eve of the meeting, the Kyrgyz leader received European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. Žaparov reiterated the importance of the partnership between his country and the EU, and stressed the contribution of the Union to achieve democratic and market reforms in Kyrgyzstan. Dombrovskis confirmed the opinion that the country at the center of the economic routes of Asia has a great potential for commercial and economic development, especially in the new technological conditions of the contemporary world.
The President of the EU Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, participated in the Forum by videoconference, stating that "for Europe this is a crucial region, to be supported in the reconstruction of an economic and social fabric, in digitalization and in the conditions of a climate of positive collaboration". Von der Leyen added that Europe will make its experience available to the states in the region.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Alybek Žaparov intervened, proposing the initiative to enlarge and continue the Forum in a regular format and in all capitals of the participating countries. His deputy, Edil Bajsalov, intervened to reiterate that "only a united, peaceful and integrated Central Asian region can play an important role in the economy and world politics". In his opinion, "despite the abundant human and natural resources, the individual nations of Central Asia are too small and far away to attract the necessary attention, but as a region we can present the EU with our common vision".
In the same days, the inauguration of the Kyrgyz-Hungarian Joint Development Fund was also held in Biškek. The first official session of the new structure was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjàrtò. He announced that from March 2022 the direct Biškek-Budapest airline will be opened.
The Hungarian envoy emphasized that European countries "must show interest in the development of cooperation with those of Central Asia in the economic, financial and political spheres, opening representative offices in these states, also to encourage exchanges with citizens of the region." In recent years, Budapest has opened new embassies in Biškek, Taškent, Nur-Sultan and Dušanbe, also financing free education for 540 Central Asian students.
During the Biškek Forum, delegations from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan also met and assessed their trade relations not only with Europe, but also with the United States. Kyrgyz and Kazakhs set common goals to be achieved with the strengthening of bilateral and common strategies for the whole region. The two governments also agreed on the movement of citizens across common borders, adjusting health prevention standards for the pandemic. The next EU-Central Asia Forum, as agreed, will be held in 2022 in Kazakhstan.
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