markand’s historic summit: What Europe seeks from Central Asia

SaThe first-ever Central Asia-European Union summit will take place in Samarkand from April 3 to 5, marking a significant political event for the region. Extensive preparations have been made, including temporary road closures and a short-term academic holiday for some higher education institutions in the city from April 1 to 5.

This summit is considered the first of its kind because, until now, meetings between Central Asia and the EU did not officially hold summit status. Previously, two high-level meetings were held. The first took place on October 27, 2022, in Astana, where the leaders of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan met with then-European Council President Charles Michel. The second occurred on June 2, 2023, in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, and was chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

Although some publications referred to these gatherings as summits, the official EU website classified them as “leaders’ level meetings.” The Samarkand summit will be the first to carry official summit status, and a joint statement is expected at its conclusion.

The summit will host European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will chair the event. Discussions will center on strengthening cooperation in transport and digital connectivity, strategic raw materials, economy and security, and the transition to clean energy sources.

A “Gift” from Samarkand to the US
The EU mission emphasized in a statement that geopolitical shifts—including Russia’s war in Ukraine and ongoing events in Afghanistan—have heightened the strategic importance of EU-Central Asia relations. However, these geopolitical tensions are not the sole motivation behind the summit.

A major underlying factor is the new approach of the US administration towards Europe. The summit in Samarkand aligns with Europe’s strategy to counter US tariffs, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She explained that strengthening trade ties with Central Asia is part of the EU’s broader efforts to diversify economic relations and reduce reliance on certain partners.

“An element of our strategy to respond to US tariffs will be to diversify trade. Trade will be directed to where there is business. Europe already has trade agreements with 76 countries, and the European Union is expanding this network,” von der Leyen stated.

Mirziyoyev’s Expectations
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has high hopes for the summit, seeing it as an opportunity to deepen political dialogue between Central Asia and the EU. Speaking to Euronews, he described the event as a new chapter in regional cooperation.

Mirziyoyev envisions the summit creating new mechanisms to give cooperation a more systematic and long-term approach. Economic, trade, energy, and transport cooperation will be key areas of discussion. He expects the summit to strengthen interregional ties and promote a sustainable partnership between Central Asia and Europe.