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

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. 

This initiative aims to link the EU with Central Asia via Türkiye and the South Caucasus. It 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.

From the EU side, the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela took part in the discussions. 

The EU side said the European Commission would 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.

During the meeting, the EU Member States and Black Sea countries also confirmed the 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. These efforts are part of EU contributions to the security of Ukraine and ensuring resilience in the Black Sea region. 

“The Black Sea Region is of strategic importance to the EU. Russia’s war in Ukraine has dangerous spillover effects across the region. Moscow’s military build-up, its shadow fleet, drifting mines, and the jamming of ships’ data systems, are collective security challenges that require a collective response,” Kaja Kallas said.

The participants decided to reconvene again in a year’s time.

Find out more

Press release

Co-Chairs Conclusions on Strengthening Cross-Regional Security and Connectivity