The EU pitched itself to Central Asia as "reliable" amid a turbulent geopolitical context as it seeks increased access to the region's critical raw materials and clean energy supplies as well as greater alignment over Russia's war in Ukraine.
EU and Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - on Friday agreed to upgrade their cooperation to a strategic partnership, with the EU also announcing a new €12 billion package for the region through its Global Gateway Initiative.