EU–Central Asia Partnership: The Road from the Samarkand Summit

As part of the program of the Tashkent International Investment Forum 2025, a panel discussion was held on the topic “EU–Central Asia Partnership: The Road from the Samarkand Summit”, the press service of the MIIT reports.

The discussion, moderated by Oybek Shaikhov, Secretary General of EUROUZ, focused on long-term investment relations between the European Union and Central Asia—particularly with Uzbekistan—including investment initiatives in strategic sectors and the processes involved in their practical implementation. Steffen Richter, Business President of REE Linde, noted that the climate for foreign direct investment in Uzbekistan has significantly improved.

The event also addressed steps toward further deepening cooperation, which was elevated to a strategic level through agreements made at the first EU–Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand in April 2025.

David Monguzzi, Senior Credit Officer of the European Investment Bank (EIB) responsible for Central Asia, shared that, as in other countries, a regional office of the bank will be opened in Uzbekistan as the EIB begins to engage more actively with the region. The agreement to open the office was reached at the Samarkand Summit.

“We are witnessing a qualitative shift in relations between the European Union and Central Asia. This has been made possible by internal transformations within the region itself, which are making it increasingly attractive to international partners. In turn, this is drawing greater attention from the EU and the United States to a region of strategic significance,” noted Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan.

Pierre-Paul Antoniessen, CEO of EDF Central Asia, spoke about the structure of the French company EDF and emphasized that they are not merely observers but active participants in the transformations occurring in the European energy market. He also outlined the main goals of the EU’s integrated electricity market:

1. Ensuring electricity availability by increasing competition.
2. Allowing consumers to choose an electricity supplier across borders.
3. Increasing the stability and reliability of energy supply.

“The key word in Europe is connectivity. Connectivity means that all energy networks in Europe are fully integrated. Not a day—nor even an hour—passes without the purchase, sale, or transfer of electricity between European countries. This can serve as a benchmark for Central Asian countries.

We are involved in a hydroelectric power project in Tajikistan with 100% of the generated energy consumed in Uzbekistan. EDF is actively collaborating with the ministries of energy in both countries. A joint venture has already been established in Dushanbe to manage the project. Thus, the EU can serve as a model to inspire Central Asian countries.

This applies not only to energy but also to other forms of connectivity—digital, transport—but especially to the creation of a regional energy market, which will become a strong foundation for strategic planning in the region over the coming years,” added Pierre-Paul Antoniessen.

Paul Burdion, CEO of Suez for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized Uzbekistan’s significant potential in workforce development and stressed the importance of developing local teams according to international standards for water resource management.

“We are actively training local teams working in water supply and sewage systems, transferring international expertise to help them manage and modernize these systems efficiently. Our goal is for Uzbekistan to become a model in the field of water and wastewater resource management.

Thus, it’s not just about technology—human capital plays an equally important role in the success of such projects,” said Paul Burdion.

Steffen Richter also noted that Uzbekistan is demonstrating large-scale government reforms, experiencing successful transformation, and offering numerous attractive investment opportunities.

The event served as an important platform, paving the way for a new stage in EU–Central Asia relations in the post-2025 period.