The first-ever summit between the European Union (EU) and the five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - began today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The summit brings together the Presidents of the European Council, António Costa, and the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, along with the leadership of Central Asia, including Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The summit is seen as a key moment to intensify relations between the two regions, particularly in areas such as trade, energy, security, and environmental cooperation. The leaders are set to discuss how to enhance connectivity, boost trade ties, address regional security challenges, and cooperate on green transition efforts.
EU Special Representative Eduards Stiprais highlighted the importance of the summit, emphasizing that Central Asia, with its strategic position at the heart of Eurasia, plays a vital role in promoting East-West and North-South connectivity. He also pointed out that the EU has been a major trading partner for the region, contributing about 40% of all foreign direct investment in Central Asia.
The EU has committed €550 million through its Global Gateway initiative to improve infrastructure and facilitate smoother trade routes. Stiprais noted the focus on critical raw materials and renewable energy, which are central to the green transition. "Critical raw materials are the new critical area," he remarked, underscoring the EU’s interest in securing resources for its green economy.
Energy cooperation is another area of focus at the summit, with the EU and Central Asia exploring ways to collaborate on energy security, including nuclear energy. While nuclear power remains a debated issue within the EU, Stiprais emphasized the importance of safety and the careful handling of nuclear technology.
The summit also aligns with the broader goals set out in the EU’s 2019 strategy on Central Asia and the joint roadmap for deepening ties adopted in 2023. As relations between the EU and Central Asia continue to evolve, the summit serves as a vital opportunity to further advance multilateral cooperation and strengthen political and economic partnerships.
In addition to bilateral talks, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen are also participating in the Samarkand International Climate Forum, which aims to tackle global and regional threats posed by climate change, with an emphasis on sustainable development.
The leaders are expected to issue a joint statement at the conclusion of the summit, highlighting the key areas of cooperation and outlining the next steps for furthering EU-Central Asia relations.
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Amid rising Israel-Iran tensions, the U.S. has ordered additional military deployments to bolster its defense posture in the Middle East.
The U.S. is considering joining Israel’s military campaign against Iran, with President Trump expected to make the final decision. CENTCOM supports involvement, but senior officials are divided on the move.
Donald Trump's media company has filed for a Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), prompting fresh concerns over potential conflicts of interest as the U.S. President remains active in both politics and cryptocurrency ventures.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
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