the EU bank

Today, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Emomali Rahmon and President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Mr. Philippe Maystadt signed in Brussels the Framework Agreement providing the basis for governing EIB's future lending in Tajikistan.

 EIB President Philippe Maystadt commented: "The Framework Agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan and the EIB opens the way for EIB financing of projects in Tajikistan. The focus will be on the financing of major energy projects of common interest both to Tajikistan and the European Union. We look forward to developing EIB's activities in the country in a close cooperation with the European Commission, the EBRD and other IFIs operating in Tajikistan".

The EU Council of Ministers decided in December 2006 to grant the EIB a new external Mandate until 2013 which foresaw, inter alia, financing for projects in Central Asia subject to a further Council Decision. In November 2008 the EU Council of Ministers decided that indeed Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan shall be eligible for EIB financing under the Mandate. The signature of this Framework Agreement follows this EU Council Decision.

Note to editors:

The European Investment Bank (EIB), founded in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Community, is the European Union's bank for financing investments that further European integration. The main objective of the EIB is to contribute towards the integration, balanced development and economic and social cohesion of the Member States.

Outside the Union, in some 130-partner countries, the EIB works towards the implementation of the European Union's cooperation and development policies, among them the EU neighbourhood policy. Operations in the EU partner countries take place in the framework of lending mandates provided to the Bank by the EU Council and the EIB's Governors.