The European Union has moved to tighten its economic footprint in Central Asia after securing six major agreements with regional partners at the EU–Central Asia Economic Forum in Tashkent. The deals, announced during a visit by EU Commissioners to Uzbekistan, signal a renewed push to expand cooperation in trade, green energy and critical minerals.
The forum delivered fresh investment commitments aimed at strengthening supply chains and reducing Europe’s dependence on traditional partners for essential resources. With global competition over minerals intensifying, Brussels is positioning Central Asia as a strategic alternative, and countries like Uzbekistan are leveraging the moment to attract long-term European capital.
Beyond minerals, the new agreements cover renewable energy development, infrastructure upgrades and broader efforts to boost trade flows through modernised transport corridors. Officials from both sides described the partnerships as a “new chapter” designed to accelerate economic transformation across the region while giving European industries access to emerging markets.
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