EU to allocate 1 billion Euros for Central Asian States development in 2014-2020
BRUSSELS. November 21. KAZINFORM - The European Union is ready to allocate 1 billion euros in the period of 2014-2020 years to support the development efforts of the Central Asian countries, this has been announced by the European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs at the 7th meeting of the FMs "EU - Central Asia" held in Brussels.
"For the next seven years we are ready to support measures to strengthen security, promote democracy and the rule of law in the amount of1 billion euros. This is a very significant amount compared to the current financial framework. But we already have the experience with existing programs and the region is to tackle many tasks", said A.Piebalgs at a press conference.
Funding will be provided on a bilateral basis to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan can also get help through the line of regional and thematic programs of cooperation.
Funding will be allocated to support the regions' efforts to improve the management of natural resources, social and economic development as well as regional security.
Within regional programs funding will be provided for regional sustainable development, security, economic support, social and institutional reforms in Central Asia.
European Commissioner Piebalgs also noted the priority directions of the enhancement of the EU partnership with Central Asian states at the regional and bilateral levels".