Bishkek, June 12, 2020. /Kabar/. On June 12, 2020, a videoconference was held in the format of European Union-Central Asia at the level of Central Asian Foreign Ministers and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, the press service of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
In the course of the videoconference, the sides exchanged views in detail on the measures taken to combat the COVID-19 virus in Central Asian countries and the EU, as well as to enhance further cooperation.
In order to effectively implement the new EU Strategy on Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan’s FM Chingiz Aidarbekov proposed to consider cooperation issues between the countries of Central Asia and the EU to overcome the economic consequences of the fight against coronavirus, support for small and medium businesses, trade promotion, food security and social protection in the new environment, as well as the promotion of digital technologies.
Issues related to the development of transport communications connecting the Central Asian region with Europe were discussed. In this context, the Kyrgyz side informed about the opening of a new transport corridor passing through the territory of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia with access to Turkey and European countries.
The European side noted the importance of deepening and expanding cooperation in the format of EU-CA in all directions, and also expressed its commitment to comprehensively help and support the Central Asian countries.
The Kyrgyz FM expressed gratitude for the rapid response of the EU and for the statements of its additional support for the emergency needs in the fight against the crisis in the amount of EUR 36 million .
He also expressed gratitude for the humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs, medical supplies, which today come from different countries, including from the EU and Central Asia.
The sides noted the importance of organizing and holding the First EU-CA Economic Forum in Bishkek immediately after the stabilization of the situation with the spread of COVID-19 in Central Asia and Europe.
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