In order to increase their influence and strengthen their ties in the face of competition from China and Russia, top EU officials met with the presidents of five Central Asian countries at a significant summit in Uzbekistan on Friday.
Major powers to the east and west have sensed an opening as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has expedited the region’s departure from Moscow’s orbit.
As a Muslim-majority region attempting to manage extremism and bordering Afghanistan, Iran, China, and Russia, Central Asia is a region wealthy in natural resources, at the forefront of climate change, and viewed as a crucial security role.
Leaders from the five states — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — will meet European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, head of the European Council.
The summit takes place in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand, for centuries a key hub in East-West connections, trade and commerce.
Von der Leyen said she hopes the summit will take Brussels’ relations with Central Asia “to the next level” and deepen ties in terms of transport, natural resources, water and energy.
“In these uncertain times, Europe stands for openness and engagement. For Europe, Central Asia is a partner of choice,” she said.
Turkey, China, the United States, and even countries like South Korea and Japan are attempting to increase their influence in the region in addition to Russia’s historic leadership.
Central Asia, which is as big as the EU but only has 80 million residents, or one-fifth of the 27-member bloc, has been working to increase foreign investment.
