European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €12 billion investment package for Central Asia to develop four areas, including transport corridors and critical minerals. “This is a truly new beginning in the ancient history of our friendship,” she said.

At the first Central Asia-European Union summit in Samarkand on April 4, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the beginning of a strategic partnership between the regions and the launch of the Global Gateway strategy worth 12 billion euros, a Gazeta.uz correspondent reports.

“Central Asia is a region of proud, sovereign states with an ancient history and great ambitions. Your strategic location opens up access to global trade routes and investment flows. These new investments will strengthen your sovereignty, strengthen your economies and, most importantly, create new friendships. They will bring people together. We Europeans want to be partners in this new chapter of your thousand-year history. That is why we are today establishing a new strategic partnership between Central Asia and Europe,” the head of the European Commission said.

“We are getting closer to each other. This partnership will strengthen the ties between our regions, creating new opportunities for cooperation – in energy, security, digital development and tourism. And this partnership will bring people together on both sides. Reliable partners are more important than ever. Our strategic partnership is a commitment to be there for each other,” said Ursula von der Leyen.

As part of the new partnership, she identified four priority areas of cooperation.

The first is the development of transport corridors. The EU has confirmed the allocation of €10 billion for the development of the trans-Caspian transport corridor, which will reduce the land route between Europe and Central Asia by almost half – to 15 days.

In 2025, Uzbekistan will host an investment forum dedicated to supporting the project.

“In a world increasingly fragmented, the Trans-Caspian Corridor will become a link between Central Asia and Europe. But it is not only the infrastructure that is important. Rapid passage of borders within Central Asia and the South Caucasus is also necessary for access to the Black Sea. After three decades of closure, the opening of Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan will be a turning point. This will bring Europe and Central Asia closer than ever before,” Ursula von der Leyen noted.

Second, critical minerals. Central Asia has 40% of the world’s manganese reserves, as well as significant resources of lithium and graphite.

“But they are also of interest to global players, many of whom are only interested in extraction and export. Europe’s proposal is different. We want to be your partners in developing local processing industries. The added value must remain local,” the head of the European Commission said.

European companies have invested €1.6 billion in a copper mine in the city of Almalyk in Uzbekistan, not only mining but also processing the ore on site, creating jobs and added value.

“But we can do much more – build local production along the entire value chain, from extraction to processing, opening laboratories and training personnel. This is a partnership for years to come, in the interests of our peoples and future generations,” she emphasized.

Memoranda of cooperation have already been signed with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. A Joint Declaration of Intent was also adopted today.

“Central Asia’s strategic autonomy in the area of ​​raw materials is a strategic interest of Europe,” noted Ursula von der Leyen.

Third, green energy. This involves developing wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energy in the region. The EU is involved in the construction of the Rogun hydroelectric power station in Tajikistan and the Kambarata hydroelectric power station in Kyrgyzstan, which should turn the region into a clean energy hub.

Fourth, digital communications and satellite internet. The EU announced the launch of a satellite program to connect remote areas.

This year alone, 2,000 schools and hundreds of villages in Kazakhstan will be connected, and in the coming years, 1,700 settlements throughout the region.

“Central Asia may be landlocked, but it is certainly not landlocked. Space can be your new gateway to the world,” the head of the European Commission noted.

Ursula von der Leyen announced the launch of the €12 billion Global Gateway investment package. The sum will be divided between four areas: transport (€3 billion), critical minerals (€2.5 billion), hydropower and climate (€6.4 billion), and satellite internet (€100 million).

The package will combine investments from the EU and member states. “We call this the ‘Team Europe’ approach. This package will open up a new pool of projects for Central Asia. This is a real new beginning in the ancient history of our friendship,” she said.

The President of the European Commission also announced the launch of a strategic partnership between the European Union and Central Asia.

“It shows that the EU can be relied upon. Together we can develop closer relations that will benefit both regions, strengthening them through new connections, friendships and trade networks,” she said.

The forums planned for the second half of the year are expected to become platforms for assessing the progress achieved and developing new formats for interaction. “The best is yet to come,” Ursula von der Leyen said.

In addition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) intends to develop a package of projects worth approximately €7-8 billion by 2027, which includes areas such as critical minerals and renewable energy.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) plans to sign four memorandums of understanding with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and allocate €365 million for sustainable transport, water management and climate resilience.

https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2025/04/04/ca-eu/