During the visit, Commissioner Síkela witnessed the signing an agreement between the Kyrgyz Ministry of Finance and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, incorporating significant EU grant support: The Kyrgyz Resilient Water Resources Programme will be made of a EUR 42 million loan from EBRD, complemented by a EUR 15 million EU grant. This investment will improve irrigation infrastructure, automate water distribution, and promote innovative water management systems to strengthen climate resilience.

Commissioner Síkela highlighted ершы штшешфешму as transformative for Kyrgyzstan: “Kyrgyzstan has tremendous potential in renewable energy, and the EU stands ready to support projects that bring sustainable and long-term benefits to the region. Initiatives such as CASA-1000 and Kambarata-1 aim to enhance energy infrastructure and facilitate electricity trade in Kyrgyzstan.”

Furthering its commitment to youth and human rights, the Commissioner launched a new EUR 5 million EU programme focused on Youth, Gender Equality, and Human Rights, to be channelled through the UN. This initiative will empower youth and women's organizations, strengthen the Ombudsman’s Office, and enhance the capabilities of the Anti-Torture Agency. Additionally, the EU remains committed to digitalisation and education, annually providing over 300 scholarships for Kyrgyz students.

During his meetings with President Sadyr Japarov and Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Commissioner Síkela discussed strategic partnerships, praised the historic border agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as crucial for regional peace, and reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to regional integration and connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.

Commissioner Síkela also held discussions with EU Member States’ Ambassadors and representatives from the World Bank, ADB, EBRD, and EIB on identifying priority investments, including potential EU support for the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, which is a significant achievement in regional cooperation to address energy and water challenges.

The visit forms part of preparations for the first EU-Central Asia Summit scheduled for early April in Uzbekistan, building upon President Japarov’s 2024 Brussels visit, where the EU-Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) was signed.

The EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy aims to mobilize EUR 300 billion in public and private investments globally by 2027, supporting sustainable growth, enhancing digital, energy, and transport connectivity, and promoting stronger education and research systems.