Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, are set to visit Uzbekistan on 3-4 April for the first-ever EU-Central Asia summit.

Hosted by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the event will bring together the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

This summit marks a pivotal moment for the European Union to reinforce its geopolitical engagement with Central Asia, both on a bilateral level and through enhanced regional cooperation. Against the backdrop of a shifting global landscape—shaped by Russia’s unlawful war of aggression against Ukraine and ongoing developments in Afghanistan—the EU’s relationship with Central Asia has taken on greater strategic significance.

“In an increasingly fragmented and unpredictable world, the EU must cultivate stronger partnerships to promote peace and prosperity. We are operating in a multipolar environment that demands a more targeted and engaged approach. This inaugural EU-Central Asia summit reaffirms our shared commitment to peace, security, and sustainable development, grounded in full respect for international law,” stated António Costa, President of the European Council.

The EU will use the summit to reaffirm its commitment to expanding cooperation in key areas of mutual interest, including transport and digital connectivity within the region and with Europe, access to critical raw materials, economic and security collaboration, and the transition to sustainable energy.

In recent years, high-level engagement between the EU and Central Asia has intensified, with two previous leaders’ meetings held in Kazakhstan in October 2022 and Kyrgyzstan in June 2023. Additionally, ministerial-level dialogues have been frequent, including a key meeting in Luxembourg in 2023, where a joint roadmap was established to deepen EU-Central Asia ties. This roadmap outlines concrete steps to enhance interregional dialogue, culminating in the decision to hold a summit. The 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for March 4, 2025, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, will also focus on preparations for the upcoming summit.

Since adopting its updated Strategy on Central Asia in 2019, the EU has reinforced its commitment to the region, recognizing its growing strategic relevance. The strategy builds on years of progress in regional cooperation, aiming to establish a more robust, modern, and inclusive partnership that fosters a sustainable, resilient, and economically integrated Central Asia.

The EU remains the region’s second-largest trading partner and the leading foreign investor, accounting for over 40% of total investments. To further strengthen economic ties, the EU has negotiated Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs) with all Central Asian countries, except Turkmenistan, underscoring its commitment to deepening relations across the region.