After decades of reforms and with significant support from Europe, the five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—are now shifting their strategy toward closer ties with Europe.
The European Union is looking for dependable allies amid the swiftly evolving global political landscape. This pursuit serves both political aims and economic interests, including aspects like commerce, capital flow, and energy resources.
On Thursday and Friday, the ancient Uzbek city of Samarkand will play host to the inaugural high-level gathering between the European Union and the Central Asian nations.
During an exclusive interview with Euronews, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, who was hosting the summit, referred to the meeting as a “historic opportunity” for the area.
He mentioned that during the last seven years, the trade volume between Central Asian nations and the European Union has increased fourfold, reaching a total of €54 billion.
More than 1,000 enterprises backed by European funding are currently operating in Uzbekistan, contributing to a collective investment portfolio valued at €30 billion across various projects.
Addressing Euronews, Kyrgyzstan’s Vice Premier Edil Baisalov referred to it as “a truly historical moment for Central Asia.”
He stated, ‘We have been autonomous for 34 years, and we marked this as a fresh milestone.’
In this era where the global framework is undergoing significant upheaval due to major geopolitical changes, we require dependable allies.
One key area of collaboration involves the development of an ongoing initiative aimed at establishing a Green Strategic Corridor across the Caspian and Black Seas towards Europe.
Implementing this initiative will firmly establish the mutual energy connections that both parties desire, ensuring benefits for all involved.
