EU Launches Central Asia Connectivity Platform

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The European Commission has announced the launch of a connectivity platform for Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea region, aimed at coordinating strategic investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, as well as promoting trade development.

The new initiative was presented at a high-level ministerial meeting attended by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

The meeting brought together transport ministers and senior representatives from European Union member states, Central Asian countries, the South Caucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Moldova, alongside representatives from G7 nations and international financial institutions.

Concurrently, agreements were signed with international financial institutions to mobilize up to 2 billion euros for transport infrastructure development, the modernization of state border crossing points, and the improvement of trade procedures.

Participants paid particular attention to increasing the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor. The European Commission noted its growing importance as a reliable and sustainable transport route between Europe and Central Asia and called for an assessment of its functioning to determine priority measures for enhancing competitiveness.

The platform is established under the EU Global Gateway strategy and provides for the coordination of joint projects aimed at strengthening transport, energy, and digital links between the European Union and Central Asia through the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region. The implementation of the initiative is expected to facilitate the development of international trade, increase transport connectivity, and expand economic cooperation.