Samarkand’s legacy as a bridge between East and West makes it the ideal setting for the first-ever summit between Central Asia and the European Union.
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our partnership. We are elevating our ties to a strategic level, reflecting the vast potential ahead.
In recent years, Central Asian countries have strongly developed their regional cooperation. The EU is a reliable partner for Central Asia. And this summit is not a destination, but a journey that we are advancing through concrete action.
We aim to strengthen economic ties, trade, and investment. We have already signed bilateral partnerships with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This year, we will sign our bilateral cooperation agreement partnership agreement with Uzbekistan, and next year, with Tajikistan. Talks with Turkmenistan will begin soon.
As the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced earlier, we are mobilising more than €12 billion for the region under the Global Gateway Initiative.
We are committed to enhancing digital and sustainable transport connectivity, including the development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. And we are facilitating European investment and technological development in critical raw materials.
Climate change is a key area for joint action. We are taking action to promote sustainable water management, agriculture, energy transition, and the development of a green economy.
We face shared security challenges and are prepared to intensify our efforts through a regular security dialogue. Afghanistan remains a concern. We discussed the security situation and the potential spill-over risks to Central Asia and Europe.
As you know, the most severe security challenge Europe faces today is Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which undermines international stability. We hope the new momentum leads to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. And we must work together in a common effort to guarantee it.
To conclude, our relationship has never been stronger. We must now shape the future chapters of our strategic partnership. And to do so, in line with the motto of this summit: “Investing in the future”.