We, the leaders of the European Union (EU), Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, held our first EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 4 April 2025 and concluded the following:

1. We confirmed our commitment to deeper cooperation and decided to elevate relations between the EU and Central Asia to a strategic partnership, given the geopolitical changes. We acknowledged the significant achievements in recent years in strengthening dialogue and cooperation.

2. The EU reaffirmed the goals of the EU Strategy on Central Asia from 2019. The Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia, adopted on 23 October 2023 in Luxembourg, has been instrumental in implementing the Strategy. We recognized the role of regional meetings and the EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Ashgabat on 27 March 2025 in preparing for this summit.

3. We are committed to cooperate for peace, security, and democracy and to fully respect international law, including the UN Charter. We emphasized the importance of achieving a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine and upholding OSCE principles.

4. We committed to respect these principles within all international and regional fora. In the same spirit, we reaffirmed our strong commitment to relevant UNSC Resolutions and emphasized the importance of respecting international principles.

5. In an increasingly complex world, we expressed our readiness to address common security challenges through exploring new engagement possibilities at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels.

6. We emphasized our strong commitment to seeing Afghanistan develop into a secure and stable state that respects human rights and meets its international obligations.

7. Cooperation on preventing sanctions circumvention remains an important aspect of our relations. We agreed to continue this cooperation.

8. Significant efforts have been made to strengthen regional cooperation within Central Asia, aiming for prosperity, sustainable development, and energy transition.

9. The leaders welcomed the signing of the Treaty on the State Border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan on 13 March 2025.

10. EU and Central Asian leaders agreed that cooperation will be based on full implementation of bilateral Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs).

11. Strengthening trade and investment ties between Central Asia and the EU is essential for economic growth. We committed to regularly organize economic events.

12. Enhanced cooperation on critical raw materials is of strategic importance.

13. The EU and Central Asia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening sustainable transport connectivity.

14. With rising global temperatures and environmental degradation, protecting our planet is a necessity. We agreed to step up the fight against climate change.

15. Water is essential for the development and prosperity of Central Asia. The EU and Central Asian leaders agreed to continue implementing innovative approaches in water-energy cooperation.

16. The EU and Central Asian leaders reiterated that the promotion and protection of rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms is a common fundamental value.

17. The EU-Central Asia Civil Society Forum is a key platform for dialogue.

18. The role of the EU Special Representative for Central Asia was recognized.

19. We agreed to build upon the outcomes of todays summit in Samarkand.

20. We expressed our gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan for successfully hosting the first EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand.

ANNEX:  Deliverables in Sectoral Cooperation

Strengthening multilateralism

The Participants:

• Agreed to periodic assessments of the implementation of the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia.
• Noted the importance of the UN General Assembly Resolution on strengthening regional and international cooperation.
• Welcomed the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for SDGs for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
• Highlighted the importance of preventive diplomacy as a key instrument for conflict prevention.
• Recognized Turkmenistans initiatives dedicated to peace, trust, and preventive diplomacy.
• Welcomed the inclusion of the regional Transport and Logistical Hub in Termez in the Global Supply Network of the UNHCR.
• Recognized the Kyrgyz Republics initiatives for sustainable development of mountain regions.
• Recognized the importance of the Dushanbe Water Process.
• Called for increased global action and ambition.
• Acknowledged the importance of cryospheric sciences for sustainable development.
• Acknowledged the high value of ongoing regional cooperation in health.
• Noted the significance of the UN General Assembly Resolution on disarmament and non-proliferation awareness.

Addressing common security challenges

The Participants:

• Confirmed readiness to cooperate on addressing common security challenges.
• Welcomed funding for the regional response to displaced Afghans.
• Confirmed continued work under the BOMCA programme to strengthen border guards capacity.
• Agreed to strengthen engagement on tackling disinformation.

Enhancing economic ties, trade, and investments

The Participants:

• Confirmed the respective commitments towards signing the EPCAs.
• Noted Turkmenistans proposal for enhancing the legal framework.
• Agreed to continue working towards the accession of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Recognized the future establishment of an EIB Regional Representation for Central Asia.

Engaging on energy, climate neutral economy, connectivity under the Global Gateway, and cooperating on the European Green Deal

The Participants:

• Underlined the concrete follow-up to the EU Study on sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia.
• Announced the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) Investors Forum and the EU-Central Asia Economic Forum to be held in Uzbekistan in 2025.
• Committed to further enhancing aviation cooperation.
• Acknowledged progress within the framework of the regional Green and Digital Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs).
• Recognized good cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
• Welcomed the signing of the EU–Kazakhstan and the EU–Uzbekistan Memoranda of Understanding.
• Endorsed the EU-Central Asia Declaration of Intent on Critical Raw Materials.
• Welcomed the EIB signing four MoUs with partners in Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan.
• Welcomed the opening of negotiations for a Framework Agreement with Turkmenistan.
• Welcomed the opening of the Samarkand Climate Forum.

Strengthening people-to-people contacts and mobility

The Participants:

• Confirmed the commitment to intensify efforts in education cooperation.
• Welcomed the annual meetings of Deputy Ministers of Education and Employment.
• Welcomed the upcoming EU-Central Asia Forum of Women Leaders.
• Welcomed good cooperation within the training programme for Central Asian diplomats.
• Confirmed commitment to promote cooperation in sustainable tourism.