For the first time, a summit of the European Union and all five Central Asian countries was held in Samarkand. Leaders of the five states of the region, together with EU representatives, announced a move to strategic partnership, noting improvements in intergovernmental relations.
The EU presented an investment package worth €12 billion, which will be directed to the development of transport, digitalisation, green energy, and the extraction of critical resources — lithium, manganese, and rare earth elements.
Particular attention is given to the Trans-Caspian transport corridor, which is intended to improve connectivity between Europe and Asia by bypassing traditional routes. The parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of security and the protection of human rights.
This meeting marks an important step in deepening dialogue between the EU and Central Asia, opening new opportunities for economic and infrastructure development in the region.
