The first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, to be held in Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Friday 4 April, will aim to strengthen regional cooperation in areas of common interest such as trade, security, connectivity and critical raw materials, which are expected to be supported by a new investment package under the EU’s ‘Global Gateway’ strategy.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, explained that she was travelling to Samarkand with the President of the European Council, António Costa, “to take our partnership with Central Asia to the next level”.
Bringing together the EU and the five countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), the Summit provides an opportunity to consider the launch of a strategic partnership between the two regions, and has the potential to become a recurring event, as a senior EU official pointed out.
“In these uncertain times, Europe stands for openness and engagement. For Europe, Central Asia is a partner of choice”, declared the President.
It is therefore in line with the EU strategy on Central Asia, updated in 2019, and the joint ‘roadmap’ adopted in October 2023 (see EUROPE 13277/4).
Trade. While the EU is the second largest trading partner and the largest investor in the Central Asian region, it has negotiated Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) with the various countries except Turkmenistan.
Discussions at the Summit may focus on the country’s “overtures”, particularly in favour of human rights, as suggested by a senior official, without however leading to the resumption of PCA negotiations with the EU, which had been blocked by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 12212/25).
Instead, the Summit is expected to be an opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to signing the PCAs negotiated with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Security. In terms of security, the Summit is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss border security, the fight against disinformation and the situation in Afghanistan.
The EU also intends to address the issue of circumventing sanctions against Russia in the context of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. According to one senior official, “we would like to see much more from our partners, but we have seen willingness and progress”.
Connectivity. As part of the ‘Global Gateway’ discussions, the partners will focus on transport connectivity between the two regions, with the development of the ‘Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor’ (see EUROPE 13338/13).
They are also expected to focus on digital connectivity and how to deepen cooperation on energy resources, critical raw materials and water management. The partners hope to adopt a declaration of intent on critical raw materials.
Climate. At the end of the Summit, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will take part in the opening session of the ‘Samarkand International Climate Forum’ to “reaffirm a collective commitment to the green transition and sustainable development”, as explained in a note from the European Council.
Before that, Ms von der Leyen will meet the leaders of the five Central Asian countries on Thursday 3 April. A joint declaration will be issued at the end of the Summit. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)