In a major diplomatic development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a “new era” of cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia. This declaration came during the historic first EU–Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 4, 2025.
The summit marks the launch of a formal strategic partnership between the EU and five Central Asian nations: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. This shift aims to deepen collaboration on clean energy, critical raw materials, connectivity, and geopolitical alignment, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing global fragmentation.
At the heart of this agreement is a new €12 billion financial package under the EU’s “Global Gateway” initiative, designed to strengthen economic and infrastructural ties in the region. The funding will support key sectors such as transportation (€3 billion), critical raw materials (€2.5 billion), water, energy, and climate-related projects (€6.4 billion), along with digital connectivity efforts. Several of these initiatives have already been backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
President von der Leyen emphasized the importance of reliable global partners in an increasingly fractured world. “New global barriers are emerging. Investments are being redirected or restricted. Powers across the world are carving out new spheres of influence,” she told leaders, subtly referencing the rising assertiveness of China, Russia, and the United States.
“Reliable partners have never been more essential. Our strategic partnership is a commitment to stand by each other,” she said.
The EU’s interest in Central Asia is closely linked to its green transition goals, particularly its ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Access to rare earth elements and critical raw materials such as manganese, chrome, zinc, and titanium is central to this strategy. Central Asia holds substantial reserves of these resources, and the EU aims not just to extract them but also to invest in developing local industries, enhancing regional value chains.
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“These raw materials are the lifeblood of the future global economy. But they can also be a trap,” von der Leyen warned. “Europe’s offer is different. We want to be partners in developing your industries—not just exploit your resources.”
On the geopolitical front, the summit spotlighted the war in Ukraine and multilateral rule-based cooperation. European Council President António Costa underscored the EU’s commitment to defending international law and countering Russia’s aggression. While the five Central Asian states have remained neutral in UN votes concerning Russia’s actions, they have benefited from re-exporting sanctioned goods to Russia—an issue the EU is monitoring closely.
Costa highlighted that “security threats are now transnational” and called for deeper cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global levels. He also issued a subtle warning about sanction circumvention, stating, “Europe will continue to increase pressure if necessary. Central Asia’s cooperation is invaluable.”
In response, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed alignment with the EU’s principles, stating his country “fully supports peaceful negotiations to resolve the situation in Ukraine.”
As part of the summit’s outcomes, leaders agreed to launch an investor forum later this year aimed at attracting further economic interest—particularly in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a vital trade route that would bypass Russia and reduce shipment times between Europe and Central Asia. Plans were also unveiled to establish a new EBRD office in Uzbekistan, signaling long-term commitment to regional development.
With this new partnership, the EU positions itself not just as an investor but as a geopolitical ally, seeking to offer an alternative to Russian and Chinese influence while promoting sustainable, rules-based growth in one of the world’s most strategically located regions.
This article is originally published on fr.euronews
