EU, Central Asian countries discuss water, energy issues

DUSHANBE. Oct 20 (Interfax) - The first meeting of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) Working Group on Water, Energy, and Climate Change in Central Asia has taken place in Dushanbe, the European Union Delegation to Tajikistan said.

"Water-energy-climate change nexus is at the heart of development in Central Asia," EU Ambassador to Tajikistan Radoslaw Darski said, noting that the EU is proud to bring together the EU member states and European financial institutions within the Global Gateway - Team Europe Initiative in order to promote regional cooperation and the implementation of specific investment projects such as the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant.

He said that achieving meaningful progress requires teamwork, as no single actor can accomplish this objective alone.

Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the EU participating in the Team Europe Initiative, and other international partners attended the meeting.

The working group reviewed current and planned activities in the areas of water resources, energy, and climate change in Central Asia, identified regional priorities, and drew up a draft joint action plan for 2026 at the meeting.

Team Europe is a EU initiative that brings together EU institutions, EU member states, and financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support partner countries.