One other step ahead within the fast-growing partnership between the European Union and the nations of Central Asia was made in the course of the third EU–Central Asia Financial Discussion board, that passed off in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent.
Following this 12 months’s EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), the ministerial assembly in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s go to to Brussels in Belgium, the discussion board turned the newest milestone in a 12 months that has elevated cooperation to a brand new strategic stage.
It introduced collectively enterprise leaders, buyers, and authorities representatives from 32 nations. The European delegation was led by EU Commissioners Jozef Síkela and Marta Kos. Síkela highlighted the significance of 2025 for the partnership, calling it “The Yr of Europe” for Central Asia as President Mirziyoyev outlined it.
“We’re transferring from potential to implementation — in digital connectivity, clear vitality and transport. At this time, I introduced three new contracts on crucial uncooked supplies that can strengthen governance and open new alternatives for each areas,” Síkela informed to Euronews.
Signed agreements
In whole, six main cooperation agreements price practically €100 million have been signed in sectors starting from irrigation and ecology to digital geodata and safety:
- DATA4CRM (€7.5M) – modernising geological knowledge to draw buyers.
- SECURE CRM (€3M) – constructing clear provide chains for crucial uncooked supplies.
- GROW CRM (€3M) – creating new CRM tasks with the EBRD.
- Aral Sea Undertaking (€8.8M + €40M in loans) – restoring degraded ecosystems.
- – 6. BOMCA (€12M) and CADAP (€18M) – supporting border safety and tackling drug trafficking.
Matteo Patrone, vp of banking on the European Financial institution for Reconstruction and Growth (EBRD), underlined the group’s rising presence in Central Asia, with nearly €21 billion invested throughout 1,227 tasks so far. The financial institution and the EU additionally signed a brand new €3 million settlement to develop sustainable mining of crucial uncooked supplies throughout Central Asia. “This sector is essential for the inexperienced transition, and the area has loads to supply,” Patrone burdened.
EU Commissioner, Jozef Síkela emphasised that cooperation will deliver advantages to each side: “Joint tasks will create jobs, worth chains and financial development in Central Asia, and on the similar time improve Europe’s financial safety and resilience.”
Reform momentum attracts international consideration
William Tompson, head of the OECD’s Eurasia Division, described the discussion board as one of many area’s most vital financial diplomacy occasions.
“The discussion board comes simply shortly after the EU and Uzbekistan have signed their Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Settlement, which implies that Uzbekistan itself now has a significantly better relationship and significantly better market entry with the European Union. Since 2017, reforms in Uzbekistan have moved at a formidable tempo and attracted worldwide consideration. At this time, six new tasks have been launched, together with one for the Aral Sea area.”
Worldwide commerce centre govt director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, mentioned regional integration and improved transport networks will reshape Eurasian commerce.
“The Trans-Caspian hall can be a significant recreation changer. Central Asia holds large reserves of crucial minerals. And digitalisation is not non-compulsory — it should occur shortly.”
She additionally burdened that WTO accession and an open, rules-based, buying and selling atmosphere will increase investor confidence.
From crucial minerals to inexperienced vitality and digital transformation, the Tashkent Discussion board showcased a partnership transferring from declarations to supply.
New investments, new agreements, and new connectivity tasks have positioned regional cooperation on a stronger and extra sensible footing — with each side now centered on turning ambitions into long-term financial development.
