Central Asia – European Union: regional consolidation and global partnership
03.04.2025 | 10:25 |Today, April 3rd, Samarkand hosts the inaugural official summit of "Central Asia – European Union," chaired by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
According to “Dunyo” News Agency, the institutionalization of this format was significantly facilitated by the leaders' meetings of Central Asian countries and the European Union in Astana and Cholpon-Ata in 2022 and 2023. The Samarkand summit highlights the enhanced level of interaction between the Central Asian region and the EU, underscoring the strategic importance of this dialogue for both parties.
It is noteworthy that the initiative to launch the "Central Asia – European Union" format at the highest level was proposed by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during the 2022 Astana meeting with Central Asian heads of state and European Council President Charles Michel.
This initiative aligns with Uzbekistan's foreign policy doctrine, which prioritizes Central Asian consolidation and regional sustainable development through effective international cooperation.
Since the first leaders' meeting in Astana, substantial progress has been made in fostering constructive political dialogue and multifaceted partnerships. Specifically, Samarkand hosted the "Central Asia – European Union" Connectivity Conference, emphasizing projects in digitalization, transport, energy, and water management, including within the EU's Global Gateway strategy.
Several key regional projects have been launched in vocational education and sustainable energy across Central Asia. The Civil Society Forum, the second Economic Forum, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's annual Board of Governors meeting were successfully conducted. Regular ministerial meetings and the "Central Asia – European Union" High-Level Dialogue on Politics and Security demonstrate both parties' commitment to enhancing mutually beneficial dialogue.
"We highly value the European Union's support for our aspirations towards regional openness, prosperity, and enhanced agency," stated President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in an interview with Euronews before the summit. "It is particularly significant that the EU shares our vision of transforming Central Asia into a cohesive and dynamically developing region, ready for open and equitable partnerships with all stakeholders".
In 2018, the EU and Uzbekistan initiated negotiations for an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), reflecting their shared interest in modernizing and deepening relations. The EPCA, initialed in July 2022, will replace the 1996 agreement, expanding cooperation in economic and other sectors to better reflect current realities.
In recognition of Uzbekistan's significant reforms, the EU granted GSP+ status in April 2021, opening new economic and trade opportunities. A pivotal moment in Uzbek-European relations was European Council President Charles Michel's October 2022 visit to Uzbekistan, where key bilateral cooperation issues, including EU support for reforms, gender equality, and successful trade and investment partnerships, were discussed.
The inaugural official "Central Asia – European Union" summit in Samarkand acknowledges Uzbekistan's consolidating role in regional integration and its active efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and expand international collaboration through the "Central Asia+" platforms. The summit's outcomes are expected to pave the way for enhanced economic, investment, and humanitarian ties, expanded trade opportunities, and joint initiatives promoting sustainable development, stability, and prosperity across both regions.
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