The EU and Central Asia have just moved from talk to transaction in a dramatic surge of European investment and coordination. In Tashkent, six major agreements totaling nearly €100 million were signed, underlining a shift from potential to practical collaboration in green energy, critical minerals, and cross-border security. The 3rd EU–Central Asia Economic Forum drew business leaders, investors, and policymakers from 32 countries, with EU Commissioners Jozef Síkela and Marta Kos framing 2025 as ‘The Year of Europe’ for the region.
The announcements go beyond rhetoric: Data4CRM and SECURE CRM will modernize geological data and build transparent supply chains for critical minerals, while GROW CRM expands CRM initiatives with the EBRD. An ambitious Aral Sea Project combines €8.8 million in grants with €40 million in loans to restore degraded ecosystems, underscoring a broader green agenda. The BOMCA and CADAP programs, at €12 million and €18 million respectively, bolster border security and combat drug trafficking, illustrating how security and trade reform are converging in the same package.
The finance and technical packages announced highlight a more practical approach to regional integration. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) reiterated its expanding footprint in Central Asia, with nearly €21 billion invested across 1,227 projects to date. A new €3 million agreement with the EU aims to develop sustainable mining of critical raw materials across the region, signaling that the green transition will depend on robust, well-governed mineral supply chains. This is complemented by infrastructure and digital-geodata projects designed to attract investment, improve land and resource management, and create reliable data-driven governance.
Analysts emphasise that the six contracts are not isolated grants but integral parts of a broader strategy to diversify energy and technology supply chains. The emphasis on critical raw materials dovetails with the EU’s push for open, rules-based trade and a more resilient European economy. Digital connectivity projects, such as modernized geodata and data governance, align with ITC’s view that the Trans-Caspian corridor could become a major game changer for Eurasian trade. Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms since 2017—described as delivering improved market access—have accelerated the implementation of these projects and attracted international attention.
The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Uzbekistan, coupled with reform momentum, places Central Asia on a faster track toward integration with European markets. The Trans-Caspian corridor and broader transport links are expected to reshape trade routes, reducing dependence on traditional gateways and strengthening energy and digital security fronts. WTO accession discussions and a more open trading environment are highlighted by officials as essential for investor confidence and inclusive growth. The EU’s approach aims to strengthen Europe’s economic security and resilience by building diversified, transparent corridors that connect producers of critical minerals with European manufacturers and consumers.
