Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov discussed with EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala the potential cooperation on water-related issues, QazMonitor reports citing the Ministry’s press service.
During the meeting, the Water Minister highlighted the EU's support for the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. He also discussed the second stage of the project aimed at restoring the lake, with implementation scheduled to commence next year. Nurzhigitov expressed interest in the European Union's involvement in the initiative to preserve the Caspian Sea, in collaboration with the Caspian Sea Research Institute, currently in active development.
In turn, Hakala noted that the Union looks forward to cooperation, expressing special interest in the new Water Code being developed by the Ministry and regional plans to create an international water and energy consortium in Central Asia.
“Kazakhstan welcomes collaboration on water conservation issues, extending cooperation not only with its neighbors but also with European countries. Currently, topics such as the restoration of irrigation systems, reconstruction of hydraulic structures, and the study of groundwater are highly relevant for our country. I believe we will be able to identify areas in which we can work effectively," concluded Nurzhigitov.
