The Central Asia-EU Summit in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, represents a key milestone in the relationship between Central Asia and the European Union.
This meeting takes place in the context of global geopolitical instability, economic risks, and climate challenges, highlighting the need for new forms of international cooperation, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.
The summit aims to strengthen economic partnerships: as trade between Central Asia and the EU has quadrupled over the past seven years, the summit seeks to capitalize on this momentum and encourage increased interregional cooperation while addressing common challenges.
Euronews spoke with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev about the summit’s objectives and expectations, as well as the historical ties and shared interests between the two regions.
It is important to note that Uzbekistan holds a key position in Central Asia for the European Union.
In recent years, due to various events in the international system, Uzbekistan, like other Central Asian countries, has been moving closer to the European Union (EU). At the same time, the EU has been seeking new partners, a search that has accelerated since the COVID-19 crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Among these new partners are countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The EU, and particularly France, aim to increase their presence in the country in cultural, economic, and financial terms.
Since Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power, Uzbekistan has been implementing reforms to liberalize its market, which has attracted European investors. For instance, Mirziyoyev recently visited Macron once again.
Uzbekistan has a more resilient economy compared to other Central Asian countries. This is due to its diversified range of products, making it less vulnerable to external shocks. The country’s significant hydroelectric potential, young population (50% under 30 years old), international financial support, economic reforms (liberalization, privatization, diversification), credit development (42% of GDP, 37% for the private sector), and public investments (electricity, transportation, healthcare) make Uzbekistan particularly attractive to the EU.
One of the most significant events influencing the development of Uzbekistan-EU relations is the Russia-Ukraine war. The outbreak of war in Ukraine led European countries, the US, and other developed nations to impose numerous sanctions on Russia. In this context, Uzbekistan, which cooperates with both sides, seeks to find an optimal balance that aligns with its national interests.
For example, in the early stages of the war, Mirziyoyev addressed economic and trade cooperation with the EU during the “Central Asia-European Union” summit in Astana. The Uzbek president emphasized that Central Asia needs European technologies, investments, and the development of transportation and logistics corridors to access the European market.
Since Mirziyoyev’s rise to power, Uzbekistan has been drawing closer to the EU, and cooperation has been increasing.
Uzbek-French relations have significantly strengthened since 2016 when Mirziyoyev came to power, leading to notable collaborations in culture, arts, science, and education. In recent years, France’s tactical policy towards Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, has been reshaping. Like the EU, France appreciates Uzbekistan’s role in strengthening regional stability and security, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation and good neighborly relations, and ensuring the stability of Afghanistan, which remains at risk.
In his interview with Euronews, the Uzbek president discussed the growing ties between Central Asia and Europe:
“Our regions are linked by deep historical roots, coinciding interests, and a common desire for close partnership. We have a clear vision of the agenda of interaction with the European Union, based on almost thirty years of cooperation.
"Our partnership with the European Union is a two-way relationship from which both sides should benefit.
"The Central Asia-European Union format of cooperation is a unique platform of interaction and is unparalleled in its scale and institutional scope. The European Union, which unites 27 states, including the three G7 countries (Germany, France, and Italy), is the largest integration association building systemic interaction with Central Asia at the interregional level.
"Cooperation with the EU covers a wide range of areas-from the economy and investment to sustainable development, security, and digital transformation-and is based on long-term strategic priorities.
"We regularly meet with our European colleagues. Visits to the region by leaders of the world’s leading countries have become noticeably more frequent. Uzbekistan has established a strategic partnership with Italy, Hungary, and France. Germany and the Central Asian countries have become regional strategic partners.
"Today, the EU is consistently developing trade and investment ties with the Central Asian states.
"Over the past seven years, the trade turnover between Central Asian countries and the EU has quadrupled, amounting to 54 billion euros.
"We are pleased to see the growing interest of European businesses in the opportunities for trade and investment interaction with Uzbekistan and other countries of the region.
"The positive processes observed in the region are increasing interest in Central Asia, turning the region into an important partner of world powers and leading states at the geopolitically important crossroads of the main routes between East and West, North and South. This is reflected in the “CA Plus” formats, which allow maintaining an open dialogue, creating favorable conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation of all stakeholders.”
The summit took place in Samarkand, the historic capital of Uzbekistan. This city has been the birthplace of two major renaissances: the one from the 8th to the 12th century (with prominent scientists like Alfraganus) and the Timurid Renaissance, which was as prestigious as the Western Renaissance. President Mirziyoyev explained the reason for this choice:
“Samarkand is a city that has been a center of trade, science, and diplomacy for centuries. Its glory was built on its ability to unite cultures, peoples, and ideas. Today, it is once again becoming a platform where Europe and Central Asia can discuss the key challenges of our time.
"Samarkand occupies a special place in the centuries-old history of international relations of the peoples living in the vast area of Central and South Asia and the Middle East. It was from here that Amir Temur, the ruler of Maverannahr more than six centuries ago, was in active contact with European monarchs to ensure free and safe trade. At present, Samarkand is restoring its special role in international life, preserving and multiplying the historical political and diplomatic heritage of the country in a new, broader format.
"Historically, the world from Samarkand is seen as one and indivisible, not divided. This is the essence of a unique phenomenon-the ‘Samarkand spirit,’ based on which a fundamentally new format of international interaction is being constructed.”
Finally, a peace agreement was recently signed between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, ending a 30-year-long conflict. Uzbekistan played a key role in promoting peace in this conflict, alongside its neighbor, Turkmenistan.
President Mirziyoyev emphasized to Euronews that Uzbekistan’s priority is to end conflicts in Central Asia and promote regional peace.
Uzbekistan has been undergoing remarkable global integration, democratization, and increasing foreign investment. Regarding the country’s future objectives, Mirziyoyev told Euronews:
“In Uzbekistan, we are consistently creating a favorable business environment, developing market institutions, and improving the investment climate. Key steps in this direction include the introduction of a ‘one-stop-shop’ system for foreign investors, the liberalization of the foreign exchange market, and the reduction of the tax burden on businesses.
"As a result, our country’s economic co-operation with the European Union has shown positive dynamics. In 2024, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with EU countries reached $6.4 billion, increasing by 5.2% compared to the previous year.”
Situated at the heart of Asia, Uzbekistan is experiencing the region’s strongest economic growth. Thirty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has implemented major reforms to open its economy to global markets, making the European Union an attractive partner. The liberalizing economy continues to attract foreign investors.
In April 2024, the EU and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a strategic partnership on critical raw materials, marking a significant step in ensuring the sustainable and diversified supply of materials essential for ecological and digital transitions in both regions.
On this subject, Mirziyoyev concludes: "More than 1,000 enterprises with European capital now operate in Uzbekistan, and the total volume of investment projects amounts to €30 billion. We anticipate that the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the EU will open new opportunities for strengthening trade and investment ties.
"We are ready to supply the EU market with a greater volume of high-quality, environmentally friendly products that meet the highest European standards. In the modern world, the development of efficient transport and logistics corridors is becoming increasingly important, and Central Asia can serve not only as a “bridge” between Europe and Asia but also as an active participant in global economic processes.
"In this context, we propose aligning the EU’s Global Gateway strategy with key transport projects in our region, as well as jointly developing an Action Plan to advance the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. This will drive investment growth, infrastructure development, and the introduction of innovative technologies.
"To elevate economic interconnectedness to a qualitatively new level, it is essential to further simplify trade procedures, improve access for Central Asian goods to European markets, and harmonise technical standards and certification processes. A crucial role is played by attracting European businesses to participate in infrastructure projects, developing the digital economy, and fostering innovation-driven cooperation."
Relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) have significantly developed in recent years. Particularly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and Uzbekistan’s subsequent independence, political, economic, and cultural ties between the EU and Uzbekistan have strengthened. This article has examined the historical development, current status, and future potential of Uzbekistan-EU relations. Since gaining independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has established diplomatic relations with the EU, which has actively promoted economic cooperation. The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), signed in 1996, laid the foundation for official relations between the EU and Uzbekistan. This agreement covers various areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, human rights, and democratization.
In conclusion, Uzbekistan, like the rest of Central Asia, is a strategic country for the EU and an important partner for regional stability. On one hand, the country and the region are rich in natural resources and offer an ideal location for European investments. Additionally, the economic liberalization and energy transition reforms being implemented are attracting European investors. Among them is France, which seeks to expand its economic and cultural presence in the region, particularly in Uzbekistan. Companies like Suez are interested in working with the Uzbek government to improve water management infrastructure. However, this study has highlighted that Europe’s presence in the region remains behind that of other major powers such as Türkiye, Russia, and China, which have a much larger influence than the EU. Since Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power, Uzbekistan has pursued a multi-sectoral and multidimensional policy, seizing opportunities to open up to global markets. This openness has attracted European countries, particularly France.
The EU is one of Uzbekistan’s key trading partners. Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources, particularly in cotton, textiles, agricultural products, and energy resources. While EU countries import these goods from Uzbekistan, the country, in turn, imports machinery, equipment, and technology from the EU. The EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) grants Uzbekistan duty-free access to the EU market. This system contributes to increasing Uzbekistan’s exports and accelerating its economic development.
Uzbekistan-EU relations have strong potential for further growth in the future. There are significant opportunities for cooperation, particularly in strategic sectors such as energy, environmental protection, water management, and agriculture. Within the framework of the EU’s Green Deal, Uzbekistan’s inclusion in environmental sustainability projects could be beneficial for both parties.
