The article by Roza Bayramli, a leading advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), titled “EU and Central Asia: the significance of the Samarkand summit for Azerbaijan”, was published by “Вестник Кавказа”.
The author began by highlighting the holding of the EU-Central Asia summit on April 3-4, 2025, in the Uzbek city of Samarkand. The summit marked the beginning of a new strategic partnership between the sides, with the summit focusing on cooperation in the spheres of trade, transport, energy, digital communications and the management of water resources. The article then proceeded to focus on the potential benefits of enhanced EU-Central Asia cooperation for Azerbaijan. The author noted that in the face of the rapidly changing international landscape and rising instability, the international community is actively searching for new methods of interaction and cooperation.
The summit was attended by leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as President of the European Council Antonio Costa and the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Both emphasized the desire to enhance contacts with Central Asian countries, with the latter announcing an investment package of 12 billion euros (13.2 billion dollars), known as Global Gateway. This will be directed towards the deepening of cooperation between the sides in the abovementioned spheres.
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that over the last seven years trade between Central Asian countries and the EU increased to 54 billion euros (60 billion dollars). He also stated that the holding of such events seemed unrealistic only recently, speaking of the development of good neighbourly relations between the sides.
The development of cooperation in the transport sphere could directly impact Azerbaijan. The country could receive additional opportunities if EU-Central Asia cooperation is enhanced. This is facilitated by Azerbaijan being an important partner to the EU in the transport and energy spheres, its role in the development of the Middle Corridor and its role in supplying gas to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor.
Throughout its independence, Azerbaijan has made considerable investments into the modernization of its transport infrastructure. This has enabled stable transit from Central Asian countries to Europe and has helped reduce the delivery time for cargo sent from China to the EU via Azerbaijan. Increased attention to transport routes in the region could raise cargo flow through Azerbaijan, generating significant economic benefits domestically.
During the Summit, the parties signed a declaration of intent with regards to the supply of strategically important raw materials including uranium, lithium and rare earth elements. The sides agreed a plan of action for 2025-2026 regarding the development of clean hydrogen and energy storage technologies.
The transport of raw materials from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Europe passes through the territory of Azerbaijan, highlighting the country’s importance in the supply chain and in guaranteeing safe and secure inter-regional transportation.
The climate topic has also become a key area of cooperation for the sides. The EU supports the management of water resources in Central Asia, including the construction of hydroelectric power plants and the modernization of water infrastructure.
The EU might be interested in the development of a joint project between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, designed to create a renewable energy transmission line via the Caspian Sea, reaching the European energy market.
Finally, the author stated that in the long-term, the strengthening of ties between Europe and Central Asia could increase the political and economic stability of the region, positively affecting Azerbaijan. The country is continuing to act as a connecting link between the West and East, facilitating stable and pragmatic cooperation between the EU and the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
