On 20 October, the European Union convened a meeting that brought together foreign ministers and representatives from EU Member States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Central Asian partners, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The primary focus of this meeting was the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda, which aims to establish a connection between the EU and Central Asia through Turkey and the South Caucasus. This initiative is designed to coordinate strategic investments that enhance trade and foster socio-economic development through resilient and efficient transport, energy, and digital connections, with sustainability and the green transition as foundational elements.
This gathering follows the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region and the recent EU-Central Asia Summit. Notable participants from the EU included the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, who played a key role in facilitating the discussions and ensuring the alignment of the EU’s initiatives with its foreign policy objectives. Along with Commissioners Marta Kos for Enlargement and Jozef Síkela for International Partnerships, Kallas provided valuable insights and guidance on the EU’s strategic approach to the region.
During the discussions, participants emphasised their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, enhancing resilience, and promoting connected, secure, and prosperous regions. Additionally, they explored strategies to collaborate on shared security interests.
Enhancing Security, Stability, and Resilience in the Black Sea Region
The Black Sea region is crucial as a bridge between Europe and Asia, playing a vital role in international trade, especially in the transportation of grains, energy, and essential raw materials. This centrality renders it crucial to both regional and global security.
In the initial ministerial session, EU Member States and Black Sea nations reaffirmed the vital necessity of cross-regional security, including maritime safety. The EU expressed its readiness to enhance support for Member States and partners in developing maritime capacities, which encompass monitoring and protecting critical infrastructure as well as countering hybrid threats.
The dialogue also addressed initiatives aimed at strengthening coast guard cooperation within the region, supporting demining efforts, and mitigating risks associated with shadow fleets. These discussions were informed by best practices derived from experiences in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas and represent part of the EU’s contributions to strengthening the security of Ukraine while ensuring resilience in the Black Sea region.
Launching the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda
In a subsequent ministerial session, EU representatives, along with ministers from EU Member States, Black Sea countries, South Caucasus nations, and Central Asian partners, engaged in discussions regarding the ambitious Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda. This agenda seeks to explore economic opportunities, promote long-term shared prosperity, and encourage cooperation and peace.
The agenda emphasises the development of sustainable and resilient connections across four priority areas, including strengthening the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and expanding transport links, advancing high-speed internet access to drive innovation, facilitate digital trade, and secure critical infrastructure, enhancing energy links and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy resources to bolster energy security and diversification and harmonising and digitalising customs procedures to streamline cross-border trade and deepen market integration.
The Connectivity Agenda will build on existing initiatives and is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering resilience and promoting future economic growth throughout the wider region.
The discussions underscored the significance of collaboration among the various participants. The Commission will develop a proposal for a coordination framework that builds on current practices, engaging participating countries, international financial institutions, private investors, and interested third parties. This framework will be presented and further refined at the TCTC Investors and Connectivity Forum, scheduled to take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 27 November 2025. Concurrently, a comprehensive mapping of existing analyses and ongoing investments in the four priority areas will guide future discussions among stakeholders regarding priority investments and soft connectivity measures.
