- First EU-Central Asia summit establishes new strategic partnership framework
- €12 billion Gateway Investment Package targets transport, energy, and digital upgrades
- Bilateral trade surged 54% over 7 years to €54 billion annually
- Regional cooperation expands on critical raw materials and sustainable infrastructure
European Union leaders and Central Asian counterparts made history in Samarkand today, cementing a landmark agreement to reshape economic and political ties. The summit marks a deliberate pivot toward resource collaboration and infrastructure modernization, with Ursula von der Leyen emphasizing the urgency of diversifying supply chains in turbulent global markets.Analysts note the timing aligns with EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy exports.
Central Asia's untapped lithium and rare earth deposits – critical for electric vehicle production – emerged as a focal point. The Gateway Investment Package allocates €4.3 billion specifically for sustainable mining technologies, creating potential to supply 18% of Europe's green tech mineral needs by 2030. Kazakhstan's recent copper extraction innovations, which reduced water usage by 37%, were highlighted as a model for regional collaboration.
Digital connectivity initiatives will receive €2.8 billion, including a proposed fiber-optic corridor through Kyrgyzstan that could halve data transmission times between Europe and Asia. Uzbekistan's Tashkent Digital Hub project, already training 12,000 IT specialists annually, stands to triple its capacity through EU funding. This isn't just about cables and servers,said President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. It's about creating a Silicon Valley along the Silk Road.
The partnership addresses water security through a €1.9 billion Aral Sea rehabilitation fund, leveraging Dutch hydro-engineering expertise to revive fisheries supporting 2 million people. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan's proposed Trans-Caspian Pipeline gained renewed attention, with projections showing it could supply 8% of EU gas needs within five years if geopolitical hurdles are overcome.
A regional case study in Kazakhstan demonstrates the potential impact. The EU-funded Balkhash Solar Plant, operational since 2022, now powers 600,000 homes while creating 2,400 local jobs. Similar projects are planned for Tajikistan's mountainous regions, where hydropower capacity remains 73% underutilized according to World Bank estimates.