EU to take part in extracting, processing critical raw materials in Central Asia The European Union is ready to partner Central Asian states both in the extraction and in processing of critical raw materials on their territories, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said."Some are only interested in exploiting and extracting. Europe's offer is different. We also want to be your partners in developing your local industries. The added value has to be local," von der Leyen said at the Central Asia - European Union summit in Samarkand on Friday.Central Asia accounts for 40% of the world reserves of manganese, as well as lithium and graphite, she said. "These raw materials are the life-blood of the future global economy," von der Leyen said."Yet, they are also a honeypot for global players," she said."Together, we could build local industries right along the raw materials value chain from mining to refining, from opening new research labs to training local workers," von der Leyen said.She reminded the audience that European companies had joined the development of a copper deposit in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan and had invested 1.6 billion euros in the project.In turn, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the Central Asia - Germany summit in Astana on September 17, 2024, that Uzbekistan was ready to join regional projects exploring, extracting and processing critical raw materials and supplying such goods to EU members.Samarkand is hosting the first Central Asia - European Union summit on April 3-4. The leaders of Central Asian states and chief EU institutions will attend a plenary session of the Samarkand International Climate Forum, which opens on April 4. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: Interfax