Global Gateway in Central Asia: Commissioners advance economic partnerships and cross-regional connectivity during mission to Uzbekistan

The November mission to Uzbekistan by Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, focused on advancing the mutual EU-Central Asia partnership through delivering concrete results: upgrades to transport and logistic infrastructure, responsible critical raw materials supply chains, better trade flows and environmental restoration.

The main focus was on the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a transformative project that will link Europe and Central Asia within 15 days, boost local development, prosperity and stability in Central Asia, South Caucasus, Türkiye, Europe and other countries along the Corridor, while strengthening Europe's economic security.

The Commissioners attended the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum on 27 November. In addition, Commissioner Síkela attended the 3rd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum on 26 November to reinforce the regions' economic partnership. Both high-level events took place in Tashkent and were hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan and the European Union.

Commissioner Síkela stated: "My visit to Uzbekistan, the second this year, shows that the European Union-Central Asia partnership has moved from potential to implementation. The commitments made during the first Investors Forum and the historic EU-Central Asia Summit are turning into concrete projects: improved roads and ports, innovative digital tools, and strengthened value chains for critical raw materials. Together, we are strengthening the connectivity and economic resilience in both regions that are essential in today's geopolitical landscape, opening doors to lasting opportunities for businesses and citizens alike."

This mission followed the first EU-Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand last April where Team Europe unveiled the €12 billion Global Gateway investment package set to enhance transport connectivity, critical raw materials, digital networks, and the intersection of water, energy and climate across Central Asia.

The EU-Central Asia Economic Forum

During the Forum, Commissioner Síkela announced specific programmes that will establish responsible supply chains for critical raw materials (CRM) and identify and formulate further CRM investments, drive digital transformation, enhance access to cutting-edge geodata, and support environmental restoration in the Aral Sea region.

The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum

This Forum focused on advancing the connectivity agenda. It reviewed progress made since the first Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity last year, to further deepen engagement with the private sector.

Several new Team Europe investments were announced at the Forum - from better transport connections to large infrastructure upgrades, making transport links and trade between Europe and Central Asia faster, more reliable and sustainable. The announced investments are dedicated to upgrades to ports, roads, and logistics within Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. They also support feasibility studies with the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to fast-track investment processes. To address the current challenges faced by the Corridor development, new investment of €15 million injection will support trade facilitation and customs digitalisation. It will help businesses along the Corridor work more efficiently.

Throughout their mission, Commissioners Síkela and Kos held high-level bilateral meetings with Central Asian governmental leaders from all Central Asia republics.

For More Information

3rd European Union-Central Asia Economic Forum - Key Deliverables

Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum - Key Deliverables

Global Gateway - European Commission