EU – Central Asia Economic Forum: Bringing the Regions Closer Together

The European Union – Central Asia Economic Forum was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. This high-level meeting is the first in a series of events to be held in Central Asian countries in the coming years, within the framework of the EU Strategy for Central Asia adopted in 2019. Strengthening economic ties between the European Union and Central Asia is one of the priorities of the strategy.
The Forum provided an opportunity to exchange views on priority areas for the Central Asian region regarding sustainable economic development, with the aim of creating beneficial outcomes for all parties. The three main areas of the Forum were green recovery, digitalization, and a better business environment.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, recorded a video message for the participants at the opening of the Forum, during which she highlighted how EU-Central Asia cooperation can help in economic recovery.
The Forum, led on the EU side by Executive Vice-President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, was attended by Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers of Central Asian countries, as well as Ministers and high-ranking officials from more than 15 EU member states, representatives of the EU and Central Asian private sector, international financial institutions, international organizations, and civil society representatives.
In a joint press statement, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen EU-Central Asia cooperation to support the transformation of Central Asian economies into diversified and competitive private sector-driven economies. This transformation will boost job creation, better integration into regional and global value chains, while providing opportunities and a level playing field for all economic actors, as well as helping Central Asian states to build back better.