EU strengthens cross-regional cooperation with Black Sea countries, the South Caucasus and Central Asia

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

On 20 October, the EU brought together foreign ministers and representatives from EU Member States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Central Asian partners (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) to discuss the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda – whose aim is to link the EU with Central Asia via Türkiye and the South Caucasus. This initiative will coordinate strategic investments to boost trade, and socio-economic development through resilient and efficient transport, energy and digital connections– with sustainability and the green transition at its core.  

This meeting follows the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea region and the EU-Central Asia Summit.  

From the EU side, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela took part in the discussions. 

In the meetings, participants affirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas of common interest, enhancing mutual resilience and promoting more connected, secure and prosperous regions. Participants also discussed ways to enhance cooperation on shared security interests.  

Enhancing security, stability, and resilience in the Black Sea region 

The Black Sea region, a key bridge between Europe and Asia, plays a vital role in international trade and the transit of grains, energy and critical raw materials – making it central to regional and global security. 

In a first ministerial session, EU Member States and Black Sea countries confirmed the essential importance of cross-regional security, including maritime security. The EU expressed its readiness to step up the support for Member States and partners building up maritime capacities, including monitoring, protecting critical infrastructure and countering hybrid threats.  

Initiatives for broadening coast-guard cooperation in the region, supporting demining initiatives and addressing risks related to shadow fleet were also discussed, building on lessons learned in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Seas. These efforts are part of EU contributions to the security of Ukraine and ensuring resilience in the Black Sea region. 

Launching the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda 

In a second ministerial session, EU representatives, along with ministers from EU Member States, Black Sea and South Caucasus countries and Central Asia countries discussed an ambitious Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda, which aims to explore economic opportunities and foster long-term shared prosperity, cooperation and peace.  

The focus is on sustainable and resilient connections, in four priority areas: 

• Transport: strengthening the cross-regional Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and the extension of our transport connections. 

• Digital: developing high-speed internet access to drive innovation, digital trade, and secure critical infrastructure. 

• Energy: improving energy links and accelerating renewable energy deployment to enhance energy security and diversification. 

• Trade: harmonising and digitalising customs procedures to simplify cross-border trade and deepen market integration. 

Building on existing initiatives, the Connectivity Agenda will be central to resilience and future economic growth across the wider region. 

The discussions underscored the importance of coordination among the different participants. The Commission will work towards a proposal for a coordination framework building on existing practices and bringing together participating countries, international financial institutions, private investors and interested third parties. The framework will be presented and further elaborated at the TCTC Investors and Connectivity Forum in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on 27 November 2025. In parallel, a mapping of existing analyses and ongoing investments in the four priority areas will guide future discussions among stakeholders on priority investments and soft connectivity measures.