Oriented on making people closer

Foreign Secretary and former British Prime Minister Lord David Cameron visited the National Carpet Museum in Ashgabat during a visit to Turkmenistan during his five-day trip to five countries in Central Asia and Mongolia.

“This week I will become the first British Foreign Secretary to visit all five Central Asian countries and Mongolia, and the first among my G7 colleagues to do so,” David Cameron wrote in a column published in Uzbek media.

“These six countries, each with their own unique heritage, are undergoing rapid change. These are proud, independent states that want their sovereignty to be protected and their borders to be respected. I want to build an even stronger partnership with each of them, for the benefit of us all.”

“In the 1990s, probably the most memorable ‘export’ from this region to the UK was Maksat, a Turkmen stallion that was presented to our Prime Minister at the time, which later became a race and show horse,” the minister recalled.

He also added that today Air Astana, Uzbekistan Airways and Turkmenistan Airlines operate several flights a week to London.

He named three priority areas that, in his opinion, will raise cooperation to a new level. Firstly, it is global order and security. Secondly, economic ties. “British companies have played a major role in unlocking the potential of oil, gas and other minerals in this region. The UK can now help access to the investment and technology that lower carbon and energy efficient economies need.”

“During my visit, Central Asia's first private equity/venture capital fund for small and medium-sized enterprises will be established, which will invest in high- potential companies in the region. We want to support Central Asian companies. UK firms and expertise can play an important role in this.”

Cameron cited the example of Concrete Canvas, which is opening a plant in Bishkek aimed at exporting throughout the region. Their roll concrete technology allows concrete to be produced at a lower cost, makes the laying process easier and faster, and all the while emitting less CO2. The emergence of such technology in the region will transform the repair of irrigation canals and help save a basic but vital resource - water.

Thirdly, education. “We are doubling funding for Chevening scholarships in Central Asia to ensure more people can study at Britain's top, world-class universities. But we also support opportunities in the region itself.”

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Photo: Stefan Rousseau - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS