Another step forward in the fast-growing partnership between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia was made during the 3rd EU–Central Asia Economic Forum, that took place in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent.
Following this year’s EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), the ministerial meeting in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels in Belgium, the forum became the latest milestone in a year that has elevated cooperation to a new strategic level.
It brought together business leaders, investors, and government representatives from 32 countries. The European delegation was led by EU Commissioners Jozef Síkela and Marta Kos. Síkela highlighted the importance of 2025 for the partnership, calling it “The Year of Europe” for Central Asia as President Mirziyoyev defined it.
“We are moving from potential to implementation — in digital connectivity, clean energy and transport. Today, I announced three new contracts on critical raw materials that will strengthen governance and open new opportunities for both regions,” Síkela told to Euronews.
Signed agreements
In total, six major cooperation agreements worth nearly €100 million were signed in sectors ranging from irrigation and ecology to digital geodata and security:
- DATA4CRM (€7.5M) – modernising geological data to attract investors.
- SECURE CRM (€3M) – building transparent supply chains for critical raw materials.
- GROW CRM (€3M) – developing new CRM projects with the EBRD.
- Aral Sea Project (€8.8M + €40M in loans) – restoring degraded ecosystems.
- - 6. BOMCA (€12M) and CADAP (€18M) – supporting border security and tackling drug trafficking.
Matteo Patrone, vice president of banking at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), underlined the group's growing presence in Central Asia, with almost €21 billion invested across 1,227 projects to date. The bank and the EU also signed a new €3 million agreement to develop sustainable mining of critical raw materials across Central Asia. “This sector is crucial for the green transition, and the region has a lot to offer,” Patrone stressed.
EU Commissioner, Jozef Síkela emphasised that cooperation will bring benefits to both sides: “Joint projects will create jobs, value chains and economic growth in Central Asia, and at the same time increase Europe’s economic security and resilience.”
Reform momentum draws global attention
William Tompson, head of the OECD’s Eurasia Division, described the forum as one of the region’s most significant economic diplomacy events.
“The forum comes just shortly after the EU and Uzbekistan have signed their Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which means that Uzbekistan itself now has a much better relationship and much better market access with the European Union. Since 2017, reforms in Uzbekistan have moved at an impressive pace and attracted international attention. Today, six new projects were launched, including one for the Aral Sea region.”
International trade centre executive director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, said regional integration and improved transport networks will reshape Eurasian trade.
“The Trans-Caspian corridor will be a major game changer. Central Asia holds huge reserves of critical minerals. And digitalisation is no longer optional — it must happen quickly.”
She also stressed that WTO accession and an open, rules-based, trading environment will boost investor confidence.
From critical minerals to green energy and digital transformation, the Tashkent Forum showcased a partnership moving from declarations to delivery.
New investments, new agreements, and new connectivity projects have placed regional cooperation on a stronger and more practical footing — with both sides now focused on turning ambitions into long-term economic growth.
