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A Historic Gathering: The First Central Asia-European Union Summit in Samarkand

Excitement is building in Samarkand as it gears up to host the inaugural Central Asia-European Union Summit. This landmark event promises to pave the way for significant negotiations and collaboration, bringing together leaders and representatives from both regions. With a rich cultural backdrop and a vibrant atmosphere, Samarkand is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of partnerships and cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union. In recent weeks, Uzbekistan has experienced notable advancements in its foreign policy, signaling a proactive approach to international collaboration. A highlighted event was the fruitful engagement between Uzbekistan's head of state and Kaja Kallas, the High-level Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Additionally, a delegation led by Josef Sikela, the European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation, participated in discussions to foster deeper ties. A significant milestone on the horizon is the inaugural Central Asia-European Union summit, set to unfold in the historic city of Samarkand on April 3-4. During a pivotal meeting on March 27 with Kallas, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev meticulously explored the preparations for this groundbreaking summit, which has captured global attention due to its potential to reshape regional dynamics. The leaders engaged in a rich exchange of ideas focused on bolstering practical cooperation between their regions and planning future collaborative events that could further strengthen these ties. The significance of fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between the two regions in trade and logistics was emphasized during the meeting. This includes harnessing the potential of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, advancing digitalization, promoting green energy, addressing ecological concerns, modernizing infrastructure, and other priority areas. The introduction of effective mechanisms for implementing initiatives and projects in these fields was also highlighted. Participants exchanged views on enhancing Uzbekistan's relations with European Union organizations, discussing adopting a new agreement for enhanced partnership and cooperation and Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization. Current international and regional policy issues were also addressed. Additionally, on March 18, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with a delegation led by Josef Sikela, the European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation. This meeting discussed critical matters regarding further developing multifaceted relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union. Moreover, plans for organizing the inaugural "Central Asia - EU" summit and the Climate Forum in Samarkand were considered. In recent years, bilateral cooperation with the European Union has accelerated across political, trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian spheres, presenting extensive opportunities for the continued expansion of these ties. A new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union is anticipated to be signed soon. Both parties have expressed a keen interest in promoting joint projects and programs across transport and logistics, energy, digitalization, agriculture, water management, and other key areas. Kallas conveyed warm greetings and best wishes on behalf of key EU figures, including António Costa, the President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission. The discussions underscored the necessity of cultivating mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors, including...

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What Does Turkey’s “Return” to Europe Mean for Central Asia?

Turkey’s ties with Europe are undergoing a reinvigoration. This phenomenon is foregrounded by recent high-level diplomatic engagements and burgeoning military and economic linkages, which may at first glance appear as a realignment within the Euro-Atlantic system. It holds deeper implications, however, and most consequentially for Central Asia. Turkey is re-entering the European strategic imagination, this time not as a supplicant but as a self-assured middle power. Europe's altered international environment, by changing its external posture, will provide the Central Asian states with additional geopolitical resources in a world marked by shifting alignments and competing centers of power. To grasp the systems-level implications of this shift, one must first dispense with the linear narrative of bilateralism that has long framed Turkey-Europe or Turkey-Central Asia relations in isolation. Instead, Turkey’s position as a hub of multi-vectorial networks — anchored in NATO, increasingly interlocked with EU markets, yet culturally and politically entwined with Turkic Central Asia — makes it a proactive agent whose movement in one sphere triggers systemic perturbations across others. Thus, when Turkey edges closer to Europe, it also subtly reconfigures the vector of Central Asia’s international relations. The second Trump administration is continuing the transition in Europe’s security architecture that was inaugurated during the first. With longstanding assumptions about American commitment to the Atlantic alliance shaken, Europe finds itself unmoored. In this new context, Turkey’s military interventions — its incursions in northern and now central Syria, its containment of Russian advances in Ukraine, and its supply of military drones to Azerbaijan — demonstrate a degree of strategic autonomy that is rare among NATO members. Europe has noticed. The readjustment of its view of Turkey is evident through invitations to summits with key EU players, overtures from German and Polish leaders, and discussions around deepening the customs union. Turkey is no longer peripheral country knocking at the EU’s door; shifts in the international system have made it an increasingly indispensable node in the continent’s security and energy architectures. This European courtship of Turkey has ramifications well beyond Brussels or Berlin, or even Ankara. For the Central Asian states, afflicted by asymmetric dependencies on Russia, Turkey’s geopolitical normalization with Europe presents a "demonstration effect". That is, it puts the spotlight on a regional actor that is using soft power affinities and hard power capabilities to parlay its peripheral status into centrality. Turkey’s return to Europe showcases a successful strategy of multidirectional engagement. Such "strategic hedging" obviates obedience to any single bloc, instead leveraging the overall system's recursive entanglements for national-interest advantage. The Turkish-Azerbaijani partnership is illustrative. Turkey’s provision of military assistance used during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, notably the Bayraktar TB2 drones, enabled Azerbaijan to shift the regional balance. Russia is no longer the hegemonic power in the South Caucasus and must compete in a condition where it is diplomatically and militarily weakened by its war against Ukraine. Baku stands to benefit from its multisectoral economic cooperation with Ankara, which goes far beyond military assistance. Specifically, Azerbaijan's partnership with Turkey...

Central Asia Uzbekistan International Affairs Uzbekistan Features Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan Prepares to Host Historic Central Asia-EU Summit in Samarkand

Samarkand is set to host the first-ever Central Asia-European Union (EU) summit on April 3-4, marking a pivotal moment in relations between the two regions. In the lead-up to the event, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke with Euronews about the growing cooperation between Central Asia and the EU. Deepening Economic Ties President Mirziyoyev emphasized the historical and strategic depth of Central Asia’s relationship with the EU. “Over the past 30 years, our partnership has grown steadily in trade, investment, security, and digital transformation. Today, we are entering a new phase of cooperation that will benefit both regions,” he said. In recent years, economic ties between the regions have strengthened significantly. Trade turnover has quadrupled over the past seven years, reaching €54 billion. European companies are increasingly investing in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia. Mirziyoyev noted that Central Asia has become a model for constructive dialogue and cooperation. “We have proven that through dialogue and mutual respect, we can resolve even the most complex issues. The recent agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on border demarcation is a testament to this approach.” As chair of the Central Asian Five, Uzbekistan is prioritizing regional security, economic integration, and environmental sustainability. Key infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Caspian and Trans-Afghan transport corridors, are central to improving connectivity with international markets. To attract further European investment, Uzbekistan has introduced reforms to improve the business climate. In 2024, trade with EU member states reached $6.4 billion, and more than 1,000 European companies now operate in the country. The anticipated signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) is expected to deepen economic relations. Mirziyoyev also proposed aligning the EU’s Global Gateway strategy with regional transport initiatives. “We must work together to simplify trade procedures and ensure that Central Asian products gain greater access to European markets. Only through joint efforts can we build a strong and resilient economic partnership,” he stated. He added that enhanced financial assistance from European institutions could further bolster the region’s economic resilience. Energy and Security: Shared Priorities Central Asia is emerging as an important player in global energy markets, particularly in renewable energy. Uzbekistan is implementing over 50 solar and wind projects, aiming to raise the share of renewables to 54% within five years. “Green energy is the future, and Uzbekistan is ready to lead this transformation in our region. A Central Asia-EU Clean Energy Partnership will help us achieve this goal,” Mirziyoyev said. On security, he emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to combat terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats. “We must strengthen our cooperation in security matters, because stability in Central Asia means stability in Europe as well.” Uzbekistan also continues its active engagement with Afghanistan, stressing the importance of inclusive dialogue and regional support. “Afghanistan should not be left in isolation. We must continue dialogue and provide support to help the Afghan people rebuild their country,” the president concluded.

Central Asia Business & Economy Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Italian Company Eyes Tomato Product Manufacturing in Kazakhstan

Italy’s Tramite Group is exploring opportunities to establish a tomato paste production facility in Kazakhstan, as part of broader efforts to boost agro-industrial cooperation between the two countries. On April 1, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, met with Gianantonio Tramet, founder and general manager of Tramite Group, to discuss tomato cultivation and processing in Kazakhstan, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture. Tramet noted that his company is actively seeking partners to supply natural food products from Kazakhstan, citing the country's favorable climate for growing high-quality produce. Italy currently imports 180,000 tons of tomato paste annually, and Tramite Group is considering shifting part of this demand to be met through production in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. Agro-Industrial Cluster in Shardara Tramite Group plans to collaborate with Kazakhstan’s Agriqa Farms LLP, which has launched a project to develop an export-oriented agro-industrial cluster in town of Shardara, in the central Turkestan region. The initiative will begin in May 2025 with the construction of a 22-hectare greenhouse complex. It will also include: A tomato paste processing plant with a planned capacity of 3,360 tons per day An alfalfa granulation facility A fruit and vegetable drying and freezing plant In 2026, the project will expand to install drip irrigation systems across 8,000 hectares of farmland. Saparov welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to supporting large-scale agro-processing ventures. He assured Tramite Group of comprehensive government assistance for the joint Kazakh-Italian enterprise.

Central Asia Tajikistan Tajikistan Business Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Move Closer to Electricity Exports to South Asia

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have officially launched the 500 kV Datka-Sughd overhead power transmission line, a key component of the CASA-1000 (Central Asia-South Asia) electricity transmission project. The initiative is designed to export surplus summer electricity from the two Central Asian countries to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The 485-kilometer line, which connects the Datka substation in Kyrgyzstan with the Sughd substation in Tajikistan, was inaugurated on March 31 during Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to the Tajik city of Khujand. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon also attended the ceremony. The new line enables bidirectional power flows, significantly enhancing the resilience and stability of Central Asia’s power grid. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Energy, both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have completed their respective infrastructure components of the CASA-1000 project. Project Progress and Timeline In Pakistan, construction is expected to be completed by August 2025. In Afghanistan, where work had stalled, construction has now resumed. Over 95% of the necessary materials have already been delivered to the country. Full completion of the Afghan section and the start of commercial operations are expected in 2027. The CASA-1000 project, with a total cost exceeding $1.2 billion, is financed by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank, and other international partners. The Kyrgyz and Tajik sections alone accounted for approximately $544 million, or 45.3% of the total project budget. Once fully operational, CASA-1000 will have the capacity to transmit up to 11 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Economic and Regional Impact Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are expected to jointly export up to 5 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually to Pakistan, roughly 5% of Pakistan’s total electricity consumption. The projected revenue from these exports is over $250 million per year for the two countries. The successful implementation of CASA-1000 not only promises economic benefits for Central Asia but also marks a significant step in regional energy cooperation, renewable energy deployment, and cross-border infrastructure integration.

Business & Economy Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Central Asia’s Billionaires Make Forbes Rich List in 2025

Forbes has released its annual list of the world’s billionaires for 2025, featuring a record 3,028 individuals, 247 more than last year. Their combined wealth has surged to $16.1 trillion, nearly $2 trillion more than in 2024. The United States leads the list with 902 billionaires, followed by China with 516 (including Hong Kong), and India with 205. Rankings were based on stock prices and exchange rates as of March 7, 2025. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, once again tops the list with an estimated net worth of $342 billion, nearly double his fortune from the previous year. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ranks second with $216 billion, while Amazon founder Jeff Bezos remains in third with $215 billion. Billionaires with Central Asian Ties Among the global elite is Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire with Uzbek roots. Ranked 125th, his net worth is estimated at $16.7 billion. Usmanov holds stakes in the steel and mining conglomerate Metalloinvest, as well as investments in Xiaomi and various telecom, mining, and media companies. Though he currently resides in Tashkent, Usmanov holds Russian citizenship and remains under U.S., U.K., and EU sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kazakhstan’s Wealthiest on the List Kazakhstan is well represented on this year’s list. Vyacheslav Kim, chairman of Kaspi Bank, ranks 464th with a net worth of $7.1 billion. Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding, follows at 605th with $5.8 billion. Vladimir Kim, another prominent Kazakh businessman, is ranked 620th with $5.7 billion. Dinara Kulibayeva and Timur Kulibayev, ranked jointly at 673, hold an estimated fortune of $5.3 billion. Kulibayeva, daughter of former president Nursultan Nazarbayev, and her husband are majority shareholders in Halyk Bank and have extensive investments in the oil and gas sector. Kulibayev also founded Altyn Alma, an investment firm that later became Almex LLP. Another Kazakh billionaire, Bulat Utemuratov, is ranked 979th with an estimated fortune of $3.7 billion.