According to the Tajik MFA information department, the parties discussed the prospects for the expansion of cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and Italy in the political, economic, trade, water and energy, environmental protection, transport, tourism and educational sectors.

They reportedly also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including current threats and challenges, the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy says Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister also Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani welcomed the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to Villa Madama in Rome on March 29 for the 3rd Italy-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting.

“Italy views with great interest the opportunities presented to Italian companies in Central Asia: establishing a strategic partnership with Central Asian countries and strengthening economic and industrial cooperation in the fields of water resources, the environment, and higher education is a priority. For this reason, over 30 of the most important Italian companies and trade associations will attend today’s meeting,” commented Mr. Antonio Tajani

The Italian Government has reportedly promoted the intensification of relations with countries in the region, as demonstrated by the business forums organized with Uzbekistan (in June 2023), Kazakhstan (in January this year) and Tajikistan (last April).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy says these initiatives are in line with the growth diplomacy action carried out by the Ministry and its diplomatic network on the initiative of Minister Tajani.  Business activities with other states in the region are currently being planned. Particular attention is being paid to regional projects in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, machinery and energy involving all the countries of Central Asia.

Meanwhile, the Tajik MFA information department says that day prior to this meeting, Tajik representatives participated in separate thematic sessions were held on issues of water and energy, transport and education.

Source: Asia Plus

The post The Third Ministerial Meeting Italy + Central Asia held in Rome to discuss cooperation issues appeared first on Tashkent Citizen.

Jakarta, Surakarta, Berlin (7/12 – 11)

Amid a generally declining period for Germany’s national football team, the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia has been a shining light for them. Germany is one of the most successful national teams ever in international competition. They have won four World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014), three European Championships (1972, 1980, 1996), and a Confederations Cup (2017). Nevertheless, in recent years, Germany is suffering a horrid fate.

In 2018, Germany suffered their first-ever first-round exit from the World Cup, since 1938. Germany became the fifth defending champions to be eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup, following Brazil in 1966, France in 2002, Italy in 2010, and Spain in 2014. Again, they were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for the second consecutive tournament in 2022.

At the UEFA European Championship in 2020, Germany also fell short. They only managed to reach the round of 16. At the UEFA Nations League, Germany consecutively finished 11th in 2018-2019, 8th in 2020-2021, and 10th in 2022-2023.

This year, poor performances persist, confirming that Germany is in a long decline. They lost six times and only won three times in eleven matches throughout the year. Julian Nagelsmann was installed as new Head Coach on 22 September 2023, but lost to Turkey and Austria last month in his first two games.

In the middle of this crisis, there is finally good news for Germany, from their participation in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Last Saturday, Germany were victorious in the final against France. They lifted the trophy after a hard-fought game, which ended 2-2 in regulation time. Germany went on to beat France 4-3 in a penalty shootout at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, Central Java.

For the first time in history, Germany was crowned as world champions at the U-17 level, completing their World Cup trophies at senior and U-20 level. These young Germans show that they have a lot of potential. They were unbeaten throughout the World Cup tournament in Indonesia.

Worth noting that six months earlier, this team also won the 2023 UEFA European U-17 Championship. Germany has become the first nation to win the UEFA European U-17 Championship and U-17 World Cup in the same year. Some of their players shone and could be counted as stars for the future. Forward Paris Brunner received the Golden Ball award as the best player in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Brunner followed in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Toni Kroos, who won the coveted award in 2007.

If Kroos manages to go on and become the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner, nobody can write Brunner off for not achieving the same. Midfielder and captain Noah Darvich already made a notable name, as Barcelona recruited him in August.

Max Moerstedt, Robert Ramsak, Bilal Yalcinkaya, Eric da Silva Moreira, David Odogu, Maximilian Henning, and Charles Hermann are several other players that could form the backbone of the German national team in the next ten years. “We have got players with incredible talent who also have a great mentality. This combination makes anything possible,” Germany’s coach Christian Wuck said.

Obviously, it’s still a long way for Noah Darvich and Co to prove their worth in the next steps, because success at the youth level doesn’t often translate into success for the first team. Nevertheless, the U-17 team’s accomplishment in Indonesia definitely brings hope that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel that Germany is in right now.

The post Light Shining in A Dark Tunnel: First-Time Win for Germany – FIFA U-17 World Cup appeared first on Tashkent Citizen.

Kyrgyzstan and Italy are ready to cooperate in the textile industry, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

The press service of the National Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that this issue was discussed last week by Deputy Director of the National Agency Jalyn Jeenaliev and President of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Fernando Pelazzo at a meeting in Bishkek.

Pelazzo emphasized that Italian textiles are in great demand in the world, and expressed a desire to develop cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic in this direction, creating joint ventures.

As a result of the negotiations, further steps were outlined for the development of partnership between Italy and Kyrgyzstan in the textile industry. Both sides expressed their intention to do everything possible for the successful development of one of the important sectors of the economy.

Source: Azer News

The post Kyrgyzstan and Italy Ready to Cooperate in Textile Industry appeared first on Tashkent Citizen.

Catering to the increasing demand for visa services, BLS International to open five visa application centres across Kazakhstan strategically located in Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, Shymkent, and Ustkamenogorsk.

NEW DELHI – BLS International Services Ltd., a global leader in outsourcing and technology solutions for governments and diplomatic missions, is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with the Embassy of Italy in Kazakhstan. This contract aims to enhance and streamline the visa application process for individuals traveling to Italy from Kazakhstan.

Catering to the increasing demand for visa services, BLS International to open five visa application centres across Kazakhstan strategically located in Astana, Almaty, Atyrau, Shymkent, and Ustkamenogorsk. Ensuring accessibility and convenience for applicants from various regions of the country, BLS would handle 25,000 visa applications annually in Kazakhstan for Embassy of Italy. The new visa application centres will offer end-to-end visa processing solutions, including application submission, biometric data collection, and applicant support.

“We are humbled and privileged to partner with the Embassy of Italy again and provide our best-in-class visa outsourcing services in Kazakhstan this time,” said Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International Services Ltd. “Earlier this year, we effectively secured three new contracts with the Italian government in Singapore, Senegal, Abu Dhabi and Russia. This agreement further acts as a testament to the trust placed in us by Embassy of Italy. With our extensive experience and advanced technology, we are committed to providing outstanding services that meet the needs of visa applicants. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and the opportunity to serve the community.”

With proven expertise in visa services and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, BLS International Services is well-equipped to provide efficient, reliable, and transparent visa processing services to applicants. With its customer-centric approach and dedication to excellence, BLS contributes to a seamless and reliable visa application process.

Source: Travel Daily News

The post BLS International Signs a Visa Outsourcing Contract With the Embassy of Italy in Kazakhstan appeared first on Tashkent Citizen.