Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, will convene a meeting in Rome on May 29, 2024, welcoming counterparts from the five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, as reported by Agenzia Nova on May 15.
The conference will include three working sessions and a plenary session. Participants will include Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan, Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Jeenbek Kulubayev of Kyrgyzstan, and Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan. This gathering marks the revival of the "1+5" format, first initiated by Italy. The previous meeting of this kind was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in December 2021, with Luigi Di Maio, then head of the Italian Foreign Ministry.
The organization of this conference stems from agreements made in January when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his visit to Rome. The next edition of the conference is expected to take place in Kazakhstan next year.
Focus on the International Trans-Caspian Transport Route
While the specific agenda for the conference has not been disclosed, it is anticipated that discussions will heavily focus on the International Trans-Caspian Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. This network of railway and maritime lines aims to expedite trade between Europe and the Far East by bypassing Russian infrastructure and passing through Central Asia. The European Union has endorsed this initiative, committing to a €10 bn investment through its Global Gateway infrastructure plan.
The project's significance is expected to grow, with the World Bank projecting that the corridor, operational since 2017, will see an increase from 2.3 mn tonnes of goods transported annually to 11 mn tonnes by 2030.
Economic and Political Dimensions
President Tokayev highlighted the Middle Corridor's potential during his visit to Rome, calling it "a great opportunity" for Italian companies. Italian businesses are also eyeing Central Asia for investments in renewable energy, rare minerals, agro-industry, and industrial machinery. Politically, Central Asia serves as a geographical bridge between East and West and has become a focal point of competition among global powers. China's influence in the region has grown, partly due to Russia's preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, but the United States, Turkey, and European nations, including Italy, have also increased their presence.
Italy has intensified its political and economic engagement with Central Asia. Besides Tokayev's visit, Rome recently hosted Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who signed a declaration to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who met with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni.
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