Baku, Azerbaijan, April 5. The European
Investment Bank (EIB) signed four memorandums of understanding at
the first EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, pledging
365 million euros in support of sustainable transport, water
management, and climate resilience projects in Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, Trend reports.
The agreements are expected to mobilize up to 1 billion euros in
total investment.
The initiatives align with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and
aim to support infrastructure development, environmental
sustainability, and private sector growth across the region.
Breakdown of the agreements includes:
-
Kyrgyzstan: 50 million euros to support
infrastructure investments through the State Development Bank. -
Tajikistan: 100 million euros for sustainable
transport infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian Transport
Corridor.
-
Uzbekistan (Water Implementation Centre): 175
million euros for water management projects, including the Aral Sea
Project, in cooperation with the French Development Agency
(AFD). -
Uzbekistan (Microcreditbank): 40 million euros
to finance small-scale sustainable transport and logistics
projects.
In addition, the EIB signed a Host Country Agreement with
Uzbekistan to establish a regional representation office. The bank
also announced the start of negotiations for a framework agreement
with Turkmenistan, which would allow the EIB to begin operations
there.
EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris, who oversees operations in
Central Asia, said the agreements highlight the EU’s commitment to
strengthening cooperation with the region in areas of shared
strategic interest.