The European Union gives priority to relations with Central Asia

The visit of European Commissioner for International Partnership Josef Sikela to the countries of Central Asia (CA) on March 12-18 and preparations for the CA–EU summit in Samarkand on April 3-4 indicate the growing interest of the European Union in the region. This is due to Brussels’ desire to diversify economic and political ties and find new partners in the face of geopolitical instability.

Sikela started his Central Asian tour with Turkmenistan and ends with Uzbekistan. For each country in the region, he had arguments within the framework of the EU strategy in Central Asia, as well as the Global Gateway geopolitical initiative developed in response to the Chinese Belt and Road project to stimulate regional trade and optimize logistics.

Daria Rekeda, a leading expert at the Center for Integrated and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics, told NG that the European Union has demonstrated a steady interest in Central Asia over the past two decades. The EU-Central Asia summit, postponed to 2025 due to the European Parliament elections, is part of a long–term strategy supported by numerous meetings at various levels. “The EU’s economic interests in the region remain significant, especially in the field of green energy and uranium mining (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have large reserves). The Global Gateway strategy reflects the EU’s commitment to global development and the participation of the Central Asian region in it,” the expert noted.

The EU has a systemic interest in the field of green energy. France, for example, is developing strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, focusing on uranium mining. Economic interests, including the possibility of parallel imports, are key.

However, in her opinion, in addition to economic considerations, the EU is closely monitoring the development of Central Asian countries’ relations with Russia and China, examining their participation in the BRICS (an association of 10 states initiated by the Russian Federation) and BRICS+ initiatives, which are seen as potential challenges to the existing world order. “The EU–Central Asia Summit is important for assessing the geopolitical situation and priorities of Central Asia in the context of the current world order. It will allow the EU to analyze the region’s relations with Russia and China, as well as assess the availability of resources, which is especially important for the EU after rethinking its strategy in Africa. The meeting is necessary for the EU to monitor the global situation and economic trends,” says Daria Rekeda.

The EU uses its partnership with Turkmenistan to promote its geopolitical and economic interests in the region, including control over energy resources and trade routes. European Commissioner Josef Sikela paid special attention to the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and the country’s investment climate. “I see a great opportunity in unlocking the potential of the Middle Corridor, which will make Turkmenbashi a key transit hub between Europe and Asia. This corridor will reduce cargo delivery time to Europe to about 15 days, providing new jobs and investment opportunities in logistics, transport and trade,” Sikela said. According to him, the European Investment Bank is starting negotiations on concluding a framework agreement to support infrastructure and improve the business climate in the country. Sikela also expressed readiness to provide expert support to the process of Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which, in his opinion, will allow the country to integrate more actively into the global economy.

At a meeting with European Commissioner Sikela, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed Kazakhstan’s key role in cooperation with the EU in Central Asia. The parties discussed economic projects in the fields of transport, logistics, energy and digital technologies, as well as coordination of actions in the international arena. The negotiations ended with the signing of two agreements – an agreement on a 200 million euro framework loan agreement aimed at supporting projects in the field of ecology, water resources and the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. The second agreement is a 3 million euro contract aimed at developing cooperation in the supply of critical raw materials between the EU and Central Asian countries. “The document will help identify joint projects and promote international best practices for creating sustainable and responsible supply chains in the sector of critical raw materials,” the press release says.

The European Union has allocated 40 million euros in grants to Tajikistan for the development of green energy and cotton production. During his visit to the Rogun HPP, the European Commissioner called it “the greatest construction project” he had ever seen. Sikela stressed the importance of the HPP for the energy and environmental sustainability of the region, noting the active participation of European companies in the project and the EU’s willingness to use the experience gained to support similar projects in the future, the Avesta news agency reported. He also congratulated President Emomali Rahmon on reaching an agreement on the border with Kyrgyzstan. “It is a great honor for me to visit your country to share the joy with you on this historic day,” Sikela told Rahmon. He recalled that this is his second visit to Tajikistan. He came to Dushanbe as the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.

Joseph Sikela met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on March 17, where he took part in the signing ceremony of the financial agreement. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic (KR), the European Union and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a new program aimed at increasing investments in irrigation to increase sustainability. The parties also discussed potential support for the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant. Sadyr Japarov noted that “the European Union has been a reliable partner of Kyrgyzstan since the country gained independence.” He recalled the enhanced Partnership and cooperation agreement signed in Brussels in June 2024. The President expressed confidence that this agreement will be an important step in the development of trade, economic and investment relations.

European Commissioner Josef Sikela will conclude his Central Asian tour with a visit to Uzbekistan, where he intends to visit the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (AGMK). According to him, AGMK, being one of the largest producers of copper and other strategic materials, can become a “key partner.” The EU’s approach is not only to extract raw materials, but also to modernize the entire production chain, he told local media. It follows from his words that European investors are most interested in renewable energy, critical raw materials, the digital economy and innovation, the textile industry, agriculture and processing. With continued reforms and “predictable business conditions,” further growth in European investment is projected. Sikela also announced plans to conclude agreements with the governments of Central Asian countries within the framework of the European satellite Internet project.

“In Kazakhstan, for example, there is great interest in the project. I am sure that in the near future we will see an official agreement with Uzbekistan,” the EU commissioner said. He also said that the official launch of the TEI Digital Connectivity satellite Internet program in Central Asia will take place early next week.

Thus, the set goal of signing a joint declaration on critical raw materials for the entire region at the EU–Central Asia summit in Samarkand, which will identify concrete steps for sustainable extraction and advanced processing, will be achieved.