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Building a common area of prosperity, stability and increased cooperation is a top priority for the EU in its partner countries. In Central Asia, since independence in 1991, the EU developed a close partnership with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In 2022, trade between the EU and Central Asia amounted to EUR 47.6 billion, with a EUR 15.2 billion surplus for Central Asia. The EU is also the largest foreign investor in the region, with more than 40% of foreign investment in Central Asia coming from the Union.
Since 2007, EU relations with these countries have been regulated by an EU Strategy for Central Asia which laid down the basis for stronger co-operation and regional integration and which was renewed in 2019. Under the 2019 EU Strategy for Central Asia, the EU launched three programmes in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Trade Center (ITC): Rule of Law, Ready4Trade in Central Asia, and the OECD Policy Component of the Central Asia Invest initiative.
To mitigate the social and economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU provided significant support to the region under its Central Asia COVID-19 Crisis Response Programme, while direct financial assistance was provided through the Regional Indicative Programme for Central Asia for 2021-2027. These actions laid the ground for enhanced co-operation between the European Union and Central Asian countries.
In January 2024, the EU and Central Asian countries agreed to launch the Trans-Caspian Corridor Project under the Global Gateway strategy. The project aims at linking Europe to Central Asia in 15 days by road, rail and maritime transport, via the financing of infrastructure projects by EU grant funding and investment. An EU-funded Regional Transport Programme was agreed to be adopted in 2025.
First EU-Central Asia Economic Forum
The First European Union-Central Asia Economic Forum was held in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) in November 2021, and reaffirmed the participants’ determination to pursue a fruitful dialogue on a broad range of issues. Three key priorities were identified during the forum, namely: the need for Central Asian countries to ensure a green transition for their economies in order to adapt to the effects of climate change on water supplies and energy resources in the region; the need for a digital transformation, in order to make public administration more efficient and transparent while boosting the competitiveness of the private sector; and the need for a healthier business environment to ensure progress in regional integration, better access to global value chains and freer trade conditions. The forum involved the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as well as other development partners.
Second EU-Central Asia Economic Forum
The Second European Union-Central Asia Economic Forum was held in Almaty (Kazakhstan) in May 2023. Participants acknowledged the effects of climate change on Central Asian economies and engaged in a dialogue about alternative energy supply routes and the transition towards sustainable, climate-neutral and competitive economies in Central Asia. The improvement of the business climate in Central Asia was another topic of interest, with discussion of structural reforms to be implemented in Central Asian countries to ensure a level-playing field, comprehensive administrative procedures, and enhanced regional co-operation. The EU Study on Sustainable Transport Connection between the EU and Central Asia, prepared by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, was presented during the Forum, notably with recommendations for co-operation between firms from the EU and from Central Asia.
Third EU-Central Asia Economic Forum
A Third EU-Central Asia Economic Forum is scheduled for the second half of 2025.