The European Union (EU) has launched a new push to improve secure digital links between Europe and Central Asia, with the first High-Level Connectivity Platform Meeting on Digital in Chișinău, Moldova.
The meeting on Monday (9 November) was hosted jointly by the European Commission and Moldova’s Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation. It was attended by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, along with digital ministers and representatives from EU states, the Black Sea region, Türkiye, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Moldovan media reported that President Maia Sandu also took part.
The Commission said a memorandum of understanding with partner countries, companies and financial institutions will mobilise up to €623 million ($659 million) for investment and technical assistance. The money is aimed at 5G networks, satellite connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres.
Moldovan outlet Ziarul Național reported that 10 declarations of intent were signed with countries at the meeting. The Commission and Moldova also announced WiFi4Moldova, a scheme to provide free WiFi in 30 Moldovan regions.
The EU describes the plan as a “secure connectivity offering” built on European technology, standards and funding. It is intended to support the Central Corridor, a route that would link Central Asia to the South Caucasus across the Caspian Sea, and on to European markets via Türkiye and the Black Sea. The EU is aiming to diversify trade routes, triple trade flows and cut freight transit times by 2030.
The digital meeting sits within the EU’s Connectivity Agenda Platform, which was launched in Brussels in June to coordinate investment and policy across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea region and the EU.
Speaking at the time, Kos said the Trans-Caspian route was a reliable trade corridor and that trade along it could grow fivefold over 15 years.
The agenda forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy and follows a ministerial meeting on security and connectivity in October 2025.
The next platform meeting, on energy, is planned for 2027. A second ministerial meeting on regional security and connectivity is due to take place in Brussels on 16 November.
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