Kallas: I understand that sanctions against Russia are damaging the countries of Central Asia

Sanctions against Russia are damaging the economies of Central Asian countries, but they cannot be bypassed through this region. This position was stated to journalists by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Kallas.

"The European Union has put in place 16 packages of sanctions to undermine the Russian military machine, and we are working on the 17th package. Therefore, I also stressed the importance of combating circumvention of our sanctions, including through Central Asia. I understand that these sanctions are damaging your economy, but it is clear that we all want an end to this war. < We cannot allow Russian companies to turn to Central Asia to circumvent sanctions," she said, quoted by TASS.

The 20th EU—Central Asia Ministerial Meeting was held in Ashgabat on Thursday with the participation of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The participants discussed preparations for the first EU—Central Asia summit, which will be held in Samarkand on April 3-4. In addition, the agenda of the meeting included the conflict on Ukraine, transport and digital communications, raw materials, energy and water, trade, people-to-people contacts, education and research.