Germany, Berlin / corr Trend V.Sharifov / Central Asia is a key transport corridor for the European Union, said Marek Belka, the UN Deputy Secretary of the UN European Economic Commission and former Polish Premier, to reporters in Berlin.
Currently, the EU is actively promoting the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline via the Caspian ground and Nabucco pipeline. Along with Azerbaijani gas supplies, fuel will also be provided to EU countries from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
"The EU will stimulate diversification in the economy of the Central Asian countries. Private companies can link with a global chain of product consumption," he told participants at a conference on "Central Asia and Europe: New Economic Partnership for the 21st century", taking place this week in Germany.
Organized together by the German Federal Ministry and the UN European Economic Commission, the conference is focused on assisting economic development, trade, and regional economic integration.
Walter Steinmayer, the German Federal Foreign Minister, said that the consumer goods turnover between European Union member-countries and Central Asia currently comprises $20bln a year.