European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the possible reopening of borders between Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan would be a “game changer,” as she addressed the first European Union–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday.
Speaking at the summit with Central Asian leaders, von der Leyen said the EU is committed to deeper cooperation in the region and emphasized the strategic importance of connectivity projects. She highlighted the potential of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which aims to cut travel times between Europe and Central Asia in half, but warned that infrastructure alone is not enough.
“Smooth border crossing within Central Asian and South Caucasus countries is also essential to reach the Black Sea,” von der Leyen said. “After three decades of closure, the opening of the borders of Armenia with Türkiye and Azerbaijan is going to be a game changer.”
The comment comes amid fragile regional diplomacy following years of conflict and frozen relations between Armenia and its neighbors. The European Union has increasingly positioned itself as a potential mediator and economic partner in the region as Russia’s influence wanes following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
At the summit von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa met with the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The EU announced a new 12 billion euro Global Gateway Investment Package aimed at improving transport, energy, raw materials and digital infrastructure.
Von der Leyen also emphasized the EU’s interest in the region’s critical raw materials and clean energy capacity, saying Brussels wants to help local economies benefit from their natural resources rather than exploit them.
“We also want to be your partners in developing your local industries,” she said, pointing to EU investments in Uzbekistan’s Almalyk copper mine as an example of adding local value.
In a veiled reference to Russia, von der Leyen said new satellite connections being launched by the EU would allow access to high-speed internet “without your neighbors acting as gatekeepers.”
Human rights were not expected to be a central topic at the summit, although EU officials said concerns would be raised privately. An EU official told Agence France-Presse that Brussels is not “going there to preach” but wants to maintain a dialogue with Central Asian governments.
Von der Leyen said Russia “can no longer be considered a reliable partner” and warned about the redirection of Western goods to Russia through the region, urging Central Asian countries to increase cooperation in enforcing sanctions.