The European Union is intensifying efforts to reduce its reliance on China and Russia by strengthening ties with Central Asia. This strategic pivot was marked by the first-ever EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The region, rich in critical minerals like lithium and uranium, offers the EU an opportunity to diversify its supply chain. Central Asia's mineral wealth is matched by its potential in renewable energy, aligning with the EU's clean energy objectives.
The EU's €300-billion Global Gateway Project is funding this initiative, focusing on sustainable resource extraction and industrial growth. Central Asian countries, in turn, are eager to expand their exports and develop their infrastructure, with significant interest in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
Trade between the EU and Central Asia has seen remarkable growth, quadrupling over the past seven years. This burgeoning relationship is underscored by efforts to establish a Green Strategic Corridor, enhancing energy connectivity between the Caspian and Black Seas and Europe. The summit represents a historic opportunity for both regions to foster economic and political partnerships, navigating a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
