EU eyes trade expansion at historic Central Asia summit in Samarkand

The upcoming EU-Central Asia summit, scheduled for April 4 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is being framed by the European Commission (EC) as a key component of the EU’s broader strategy to diversify its trade relations globally.

In a statement made at the European Parliament session in Strasbourg, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen underscored the significance of this summit in strengthening the European Union's economic ties with Central Asia, while also addressing the evolving global trade dynamics, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"An element of our strategy will be trade diversification. Trade goes where the business is. Europe already has trade agreements with 76 countries, and the EU is expanding this network," von der Leyen explained. This remark comes amid growing concerns over the EU's reliance on traditional trading partners and its desire to reduce dependencies, particularly in light of shifting global political and economic landscapes. The upcoming summit with the Central Asian nations is seen as part of the EU’s response to broader global challenges, including the evolving role of the United States and its economic policies.

President von der Leyen, along with European Council President António Costa, will be traveling to Samarkand for the summit, which will be the first of its kind between the EU and the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The summit aims to foster deeper cooperation on issues such as trade, energy, climate change, and security, with a particular focus on economic partnerships and infrastructural development.

The EU’s strategic pivot towards Central Asia comes as part of its efforts to engage more closely with regions outside its immediate vicinity, diversifying its economic ties beyond traditional partners and adapting to new geopolitical realities. With the rise of new global trade corridors, the EU sees Central Asia—an area rich in energy resources and strategic location—as a crucial partner in its quest to secure diversified trade networks and bolster its global competitiveness.

The upcoming EU–Central Asia summit in Samarkand presents a unique opportunity that will undoubtedly give new momentum to the development of multifaceted cooperation between the two regions.

Samarkand will host the first-ever high-level meeting between the European Union and the Central Asian countries.

This landmark event will open a new chapter in the relationship between the regions, ushering in a shift toward a qualitatively new level of multilateral cooperation.

The organization of such a dialogue underscores the EU's strong commitment to deepening cooperation and strengthening partnerships with the Central Asian states.

As European Council President António Costa remarked ahead of the summit, "We live in a world of chaos and fragmentation, where the only possible solution for the EU is to strengthen partnerships for peace and prosperity."

By Vafa Guliyeva