European Union - The Times Of Central Asia

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Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

EU Supports Connectivity Improvements in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan as Part of Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor

On November 27, Tashkent hosted the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and Connectivity Investors Forum, where representatives of the European Union, Central Asian and South Caucasus states, Türkiye, and international development banks reaffirmed the strategic importance of the TCTC as a fast and reliable route linking Europe and Asia. The TCTC is the EU’s designation for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. This multimodal route connects China and Southeast Asia to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye in no more than 15 days, offering an alternative to the northern route through Russia. Participants discussed efforts to modernize both hard infrastructure, roads, railways, ports, and logistics hubs and soft connectivity, including digitalization, regulatory alignment, and trade facilitation. According to the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, the forum, attended by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, produced several new agreements to enhance multimodal connectivity in Central Asia. The EU has committed EUR 10.4 million within an EBRD loan of EUR 35 million to modernize Aktau Port in Kazakhstan, a key logistics hub on the Caspian Sea. The project will expand berths, introduce energy-efficient cranes, and increase container-handling capacity, strengthening the Middle Corridor’s competitiveness. An envisaged EIB loan of EUR 150 million, backed by an EU guarantee of EUR 8.8 million, will support road rehabilitation in Kazakhstan. The financing for national operator KazAvtoZhol aims to improve sustainable transport infrastructure linked to the TCTC. The EU will contribute EUR 15.46 million within an EBRD loan of EUR 35 million for the modernization of the Karabalta-Chaldovar road in Kyrgyzstan. Upgrading the 31.7-kilometer section will enhance connectivity between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, reduce travel time and costs, and improve road safety. In Uzbekistan, an anticipated EIB loan of up to EUR 100 million, supported by an EU guarantee of EUR 6 million, will finance the Nukus Highway Development Project. The upgrade of 87 kilometers of the A380 highway, one of the country’s main transport arteries, is expected to strengthen regional trade and streamline transport flows with neighboring states. Speaking at the forum, Commissioner Marta Kos stressed the geopolitical and economic value of reliable east-west transport links: “All of us have learnt the hard way that excessive dependencies make us vulnerable," she said. "Investments in transport infrastructure, digital and energy connectivity create more options and less risk of blackmail. We need credible, long-term alternatives to the Northern Corridor. Cargo along the Middle Corridor has grown four-fold between 2022 and today. By 2030 it could again triple, if the right investments are made to increase capacity and close gaps.”

Digital Connectivity

EU Launches Major Initiative to Boost Digital Connectivity in Central Asia

The European Union has unveiled a major initiative to expand digital connectivity across Central Asia, aiming to bridge the region’s digital divide and promote inclusive socio-economic development, according to the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan. The initiative, part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, was formally introduced during the political launch of the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia. It seeks to deepen cooperation with Central Asian governments and accelerate digital transformation through investments in infrastructure, satellite technologies, and human capital. “The Global Gateway and the Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia are opening a new chapter,” said Aleska Simkic, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan. “Through them, the European Union is connecting remote regions and villages in Central Asia to the internet via satellite connections. Today’s event marks an important milestone in advancing sustainable connectivity and strengthening EU-Central Asia cooperation for the years ahead.” The TEI will be implemented through two core components. The Soft Pillar, known as the C4CA Project, will be carried out by a consortium of EU cooperation agencies led by Expertise France. It will focus on promoting safe and inclusive satellite connectivity, especially for women, youth, and marginalized groups, while supporting broader socio-economic inclusion through improved digital access. The Hard Pillar, titled “Satellite Connectivity for Underserved Populations of Central Asia,” will be coordinated by the European Investment Bank and implemented by satellite operator SES. This component will finance and deploy satellite constellations and ground infrastructure to deliver high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas, boosting access to education, healthcare, and business opportunities. “Connectivity, in all its forms, whether digital, infrastructural, or economic, lies at the heart of today’s global challenges,” said Sylvain Guiaugue, France’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan. “Working hand in hand with our partners in Central Asia, the consortium led by Expertise France will help develop the policies, skills, and technologies needed to ensure equal access to digital services and innovation.” EU officials emphasized that the initiative aligns with the national digital strategies of Central Asian countries and represents a pivotal step in fostering long-term regional cooperation. Governments across the region voiced strong support for the program, highlighting its strategic importance for Central Asia’s sustainable and connected future.

ICC

EU Criticizes Tajikistan for Failing to Arrest Putin on ICC Warrant

The European Union says Tajikistan was obligated under international law to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to the Central Asian country for a regional summit this week. “Tajikistan is a State Party to the Rome Statute of the ICC (International Criminal Court) and failed to comply with its obligations under the Statute to execute the arrest warrant,” the EU’s diplomatic service said in a statement on Thursday. “Vladimir Putin is under an arrest warrant by the ICC for international crimes, specifically alleged crimes of unlawful deportation and unlawful transfer of children from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories in the context of his illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” the service said. Russia rejects the authority of the court, which issued the warrant for Putin’s arrest in March 2023. Tajikistan signed the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, in 1998. But it maintains close political, economic, and security ties with Russia. At a joint appearance with Putin in Dushanbe on Thursday, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted the “high level of relations between Tajikistan and Russia." Putin also met the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the Russia-Central Asia summit.

Migration

EU Opens First Migrant Resource Center in Uzbekistan as Russia Moves to Tighten Control

The European Union has launched Uzbekistan’s first Migrant Resource Center in Tashkent, while Russia is preparing to roll out a mobile application to monitor foreign workers starting September 1. Migrant Resource Center in Tashkent The EU Delegation in Uzbekistan announced that the centre opened on August 26 as part of the EU-funded PROTECT program: Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in Selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries. The initiative is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in partnership with Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency. The Center will provide information on legal employment opportunities abroad, raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration, and support the reintegration of returning migrants. Similar centers already operate in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. At the opening ceremony, EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar said the centers “play a crucial role in providing people with the information they need to make informed decisions about migration.” ICMPD Deputy Director General Sedef Dearing added that the new facility will be “practical and timely for those considering migrating and returning.” Russia’s Mobile Application for Migrants Meanwhile, Russia will begin testing a new digital monitoring system in Moscow and the Moscow region on September 1, according to the Multifunctional Migration Centre in the Russian town of Sakharovo. Citizens from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine will be required to install a mobile application called Amina. The app will handle residence registration, address updates, work permit payments, and appointment scheduling. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will also have access to users’ geolocation data. Migrants who fail to confirm their location within three working days risk being removed from the registration system and placed on a monitoring list. Migration Management in Focus The launch of the EU-backed center in Tashkent reflects Europe’s emphasis on support services and informed choice for migrants, while Russia’s mobile app signals a shift toward stricter surveillance and control. Together, these measures highlight the growing importance of migration management across Central Asia and Eurasia.

Agriculture

Hungarian Firm to Build Honey Processing Plant in Kazakhstan

Hungarian company Aranynektár Kft plans to invest in the construction of a honey production and processing plant in Kazakhstan, with a focus on environmentally friendly exports to the European Union. The project was discussed during a meeting in Astana between Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Yermek Kenzhehanuly, and Aranynektár Kft CEO Ferenc Fulmer. According to the ministry, the facility will feature modern equipment and aim to meet stringent EU standards. “Kazakhstan has all the necessary conditions for the sustainable development of beekeeping, from a favorable climate and clean environment to a strong scientific base and government support,” Kenzhehanuly said. Fulmer expressed readiness for long-term cooperation. His company is Hungary’s largest honey producer and exporter, with an annual capacity of up to 4,000 tons, 80% of which is exported to EU countries, the Middle East, and Asia. In 2024, Kazakhstan produced 5,000 tons of honey, with over 58% of output coming from East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, Almaty, Turkestan, Abai, and Zhetysu regions. To support the sector, the government will introduce a subsidy of $0.37 per kilogram of honey sold starting in 2025. Under the 2024-2026 state development program, Kazakhstan is also funding projects aimed at the rational use of bee genetic resources and the adoption of environmentally sustainable production methods. These initiatives are expected to enhance product quality and align with EU export standards. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan is seeking to expand agricultural exports to Europe and Russia, while China has emerged as the largest importer of honey from Kyrgyzstan.

Trump Tariffs

Trump’s 100% Tariffs May Target Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a new wave of sanctions against Russia, including the potential imposition of 100% tariffs on its trading partners, which could affect Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other former Soviet states. Who Could Be Affected? On July 15, President Trump announced an escalation in U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine and warned of intensified sanctions against Russia. If no progress is made in resolving the conflict within 50 days, the U.S. will implement additional measures, including secondary tariffs of up to 100% on countries trading with Russia. Experts warn that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan may be particularly vulnerable. Although not among Russia’s largest trading partners, these countries maintain extensive commercial ties with Moscow. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), China, India, and Turkey accounted for 74 percent of Russia's fossil fuel revenue in 2024. Oil exports totaled €104 billion, petroleum products €75 billion, gas €40 billion, and coal €23 billion. Despite multiple sanctions packages, the European Union continues to import Russian energy. In 2024, the EU spent €21.9 billion on Russian oil and gas, just 1% less than in 2023. Over the same period, EU financial assistance to Ukraine amounted to €18.7 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Yet Trump may spare Russia’s largest trading partners. In recent months, he has taken steps to impose severe tariffs on the European Union and China, only to reverse course under pressure from business groups and concerns about global trade disruptions. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan received formal notification from the U.S. on July 7 that a 25% tariff on its goods will take effect from August 1, 2025. This raises the possibility that smaller economies in Russia’s orbit may become targets of U.S. economic retaliation. Already in the Crosshairs Kazakh analyst Olzhas Baidildinov noted that trade between Kazakhstan and Russia totaled $27.8 billion in 2024, with $18.2 billion in exports from Russia and $9.5 billion from Kazakhstan. "Such figures certainly cannot escape the attention of OFAC,” Baidildinov wrote, referring to the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. “European sanctions apply only within Europe. However, Kazakhstan continues to import Russian oil, gas, and petroleum products. Secondary sanctions, as I’ve previously warned, are merely a matter of minor adjustments to existing measures,” he added. Trump’s administration may also be overlooking Kazakhstan’s unique geographic and economic ties to Russia. The two countries share the world’s longest continuous land border, over 7,500 kilometers, and are closely connected through pipelines, energy infrastructure, and raw materials trade. Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan Also Vulnerable Azerbaijan’s trade with Russia reached approximately $4.8 billion in 2024, an increase of 10.1 percent. Russia ranks as Azerbaijan’s third-largest trading partner, after Italy and Turkey. Exports to Russia totaled $1.178 billion, accounting for 4.4 percent of Azerbaijan’s total exports. Notably, Russia is the largest buyer of Azerbaijan’s non-oil products, with a 34.6 percent share. Imports from Russia include foodstuffs, machinery, and metals, while Azerbaijan supplies gas, textiles, and agricultural goods. Kyrgyzstan is also at risk....