EU - Central Asia tighten ties

Speaking at the second EU-Central Asia Summit, European Council President Charles Michel said that the EU proposes a sincere partnership with five countries in this region including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. , Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, former Soviet republics.

This is Charles Michel's second trip to Central Asia since February 2.

The EU is the leading aid provider in Central Asia with €1,1 billion for the period 2014-2020. The EU is also the main investment partner of Central Asian countries, after the US, Russia and China.

According to observers, since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, the EU has paid increasing attention to Central Asian countries in order to mobilize and pull them out of Russia's sphere of influence. In fact, despite the decline in influence, Russia continues to be the dominant player in the region.

The EU is skeptical that Central Asian countries are helping Russia evade Western sanctions, although they always deny it. Moreover, Europe is also impatient to see China's growing presence here, while Turkey, India and Iran are increasingly actively promoting relations and foreign policy with Central Asia.

On the other hand, the East-West confrontation is increasing opportunities for Central Asian countries to improve their international standing, attract new sources of investment and strengthen security cooperation from new partners.

This weekend's meeting comes just two weeks after an unprecedented summit between the leaders of the five Central Asian countries and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xi'an, China. The goal of the panda country is to place this area at the center of the "New Silk Road", a massive economic and infrastructure project.

Central Asia is becoming the focus of many international diplomatic maneuvers. In addition to European and Chinese leaders, Turkish President Recep Erdogan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have also visited Central Asia in recent months.

According to vtv.vn