After several years of reforms and with support from Europe, the five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—are now shifting their strategy toward closer ties with Europe.
The European Union is looking for dependable allies amid today’s swiftly evolving geopolitical landscape. This pursuit serves both political aims and economic interests, including aspects like commerce, capital flow, and energy security.
On Thursday and Friday, the ancient Uzbek city of Samarkand will play host to the inaugural high-level gathering between the European Union and the Central Asian nations.
During an exclusive interview with Euronews, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, who was hosting the summit, referred to the meeting as a "historical opportunity" for the area.
He mentioned that during the last seven years, the trade volume between Central Asian nations and the European Union has increased fourfold, reaching a total of €54 billion.
More than 1,000 firms backed by European capital are currently operating in Uzbekistan, contributing to a collective investment project portfolio worth €30 billion.
Addressing Euronews, Kyrgyzstan's Vice Premier Edil Baisalov referred to it as "a truly historical moment for Central Asia."
He stated, 'We have maintained our independence for 34 years, which we marked as an exciting new chapter.'
In this era where the global order is undergoing significant upheaval due to major geopolitical changes, we require dependable allies.
One significant area of collaboration involves the development of an ongoing initiative aimed at establishing a Green Strategic Corridor spanning across the Caspian and Black Seas into Europe.
Implementing this plan will provide a strong basis for achieving mutual energy interconnectivity, which is something both parties aim to accomplish.
