The first-ever EU-Central Asia summit is set to take place in Uzbekistan on April 3-4, 2025, bringing together top European and Central Asian leaders to strengthen interregional cooperation. The summit will be hosted by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with the participation of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The European Union will be represented by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The summit marks a step in the EU’s efforts to deepen engagement with Central Asia, a region of growing geopolitical and economic importance. As global dynamics shift, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and developments in Afghanistan, the EU seeks to reinforce its partnerships in Central Asia to enhance regional stability, connectivity, and economic cooperation.
“We are living in a world of disorder and fragmentation where the only viable solution for the EU is to build stronger partnerships to advance peace and prosperity. It is a multipolar world that requires greater and tailored engagement. The very first EU-Central Asia summit will solidify our commitment to work together for peace, security, and sustainable development, in full respect of international law,” said António Costa, President of the European Council.
Key Areas of Cooperation
During the summit, leaders will discuss a range of critical issues, including:
- Transport and digital connectivity between the EU and Central Asia.
- Critical raw materials and investment opportunities.
- Economic and security cooperation to ensure regional stability.
- Energy transition and sustainable development initiatives.
The EU is a key economic partner for Central Asia, ranking as the region’s second-largest trading partner and the biggest investor, with over 40% of foreign direct investment coming from the bloc. To further deepen relations, the EU has negotiated enhanced partnership and cooperation agreements (EPCAs) with all Central Asian countries, except Turkmenistan.
High-level engagements between the EU and Central Asia have intensified in recent years. Leaders' meetings were held in Kazakhstan (October 2022) and Kyrgyzstan (June 2023), alongside ministerial dialogues, including the most recent one in Luxembourg in 2023, which established a joint roadmap for deeper cooperation. The upcoming 20th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting on March 4, 2025, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, will focus on preparations for the summit.
The EU’s 2019 Strategy on Central Asia emphasizes the region’s strategic importance and aims to promote a more resilient, interconnected, and sustainable partnership.
In 2024, Uzbekistan's trade data shows that Europe emerged as its largest trading partner, accounting for 42.3% of total foreign trade turnover (FTT). Exports to Europe reached $14.1bn, while imports stood at $13.8bn. Asia followed closely, making up 46.1% of total trade, with exports valued at $8.5bn and imports reaching $21.8bn. Meanwhile, Africa, North America, South America, and Australia collectively accounted for just 2.6% of Uzbekistan’s total trade turnover.
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