Uzbekistan and the European Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the development of sustainable value chains in the critical raw materials sector, necessary for the development of the European climate-neutral industry, digital, aerospace, and defense sectors, Uzbek media reports.
Critical raw materials are minerals with significant economic value for the EU, with a high risk of supply disruptions due to source concentration and lack of substitutes. This includes 34 types of metals, minerals, and other natural materials, 17 of which are deemed strategically important, such as copper, lithium, aluminum, titanium, platinum, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and others.
European officials express satisfaction with the agreement, stating it will provide crucial access to essential resources. Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, emphasized the mutual benefits, stating that cooperation with Uzbekistan will help ensure material security for transitioning to eco-friendly and digital technologies while upholding shared values and high standards.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 8, 2024