Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to offer economic aid to Central Asian countries to create a new trade route linking the region to Europe, bypassing Russia, Japan Times reported. This initiative aligns with similar discussions previously held in the United States.
Prime Minister Kishida is expected to announce the economic aid package during an upcoming meeting with leaders of Central Asia's five states. Government sources indicate that the aid will fund the creation of a new trade route across the Caspian Sea, linking Central Asia to Europe while bypassing Russian territory.
The Japanese prime minister plans to engage in talks with the presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan during the C5+1 summit in Astana. Kishida's visit to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia is scheduled for August 9-12.
Following the summit, the leaders of Japan and the five Central Asian countries intend to issue a joint statement emphasizing the importance of the rule of law.
Additionally, Kishida pledges to support the region's efforts in decarbonization, developing logistics networks, and enhancing human resources.
In late July, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien mentioned that Washington was considering the creation of a new land corridor from Central Asia to global markets through Armenia and Azerbaijan, bypassing Russia and China.
“White House is already working with the states of Central Asia on a project to get more goods to go across the Caspian to Azerbaijan and all that knit together will provide real involvement, again, for and by the people of the region. It’s not a project for US political influence. It’s a project for the economic development and political opportunity of the people of the region,” James O'Brien voiced.
This is part of the U.S. strategy to provide Central Asian states with alternative pathways to global markets.
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