EU-Central Asia advancing strategic collaboration on the Trans-Caspian Corridor [Advocacy Lab Content]

Europe and Central Asia are collaborating to connect their regions within 15 days or less, through a transformational transport corridor. The launch of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform in Astana on 12 June marked a milestone in strategic integration.

The newly established Coordination Platform aims to transform the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor into a seamless and competitive route, improving safety and sustainability. The platform’s mission is to link Europe and Asia within 15 days or less, reflecting the urgency of creating efficient transport links that benefit both regions.

The project also aims to become a corridor of knowledge, and innovation.

“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has created an urgency to identify alternative, reliable, efficient, and sustainable connections between Europe and Asia,” said Maja Bakran, Deputy Director General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, during the launch of the Coordination Platform.

War accelerated diversification

She noted that the war has accelerated the diversification of trade and transport routes, with a focus on developing transport connections in the Central Asian region.

Representatives from Central Asian countries, states along the corridor, international financial institutions, and non-EU G7 countries participated in the platform’s launch, hosted by the European Commission and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Addressing the event, Kazakh Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev emphasised that Kazakhstan, located at the crossroads of important trade routes, has long recognised the importance of an efficient and sustainable transport system.

“We are at the beginning of a great and significant journey, which started last year,” said Karabayev, underscoring the transformative potential of this collaboration, while emphasising the critical role of transport infrastructure development and strengthened links in driving economic growth and prosperity in the region.

Longstanding partnership

Karabayev noted the EU’s longstanding partnership with the region, which has contributed significantly to infrastructure improvement, economic strengthening, and promoting sustainable development.

“No doubt, the EU and Central Asia collaboration, at a strategic level, has intensified substantially in recent years, and the connection across the Caspian Sea is strategic in many ways,” said Henrik Hololei, Hors-Classe Adviser at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships in the European Commission.

He emphasised that Europe wants to further deepen collaboration with all Central Asian countries.

“If we work together, we can turn the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, which is in fact an economic corridor, an ecosystem, into a modern, multi-modal gateway,” he added.

“Working together will not only improve transport infrastructure, strengthen significantly economic affairs, increase safety and sustainability of transport corridors, but also accelerate the introduction of innovations and advanced technologies in the transport sector,” stated Minister Karabayev.

€300 billion for sustainable projects

The launch of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform stems from the outcomes of the Global Gateway Investors Forum, held in Brussels late January.

The European Commission and the EU High Representative have outlined the Global Gateway strategy to enhance smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport sectors while strengthening health, education, and research systems globally.

Between 2021 and 2027, Europe aims to mobilise up to €300 billion for sustainable and high-quality projects. This initiative builds upon the findings of the June 2023 study on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and Central Asia.

An EBRD study last year, launched at the request of the European Commission, has concluded that the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor creates new opportunities and has the potential to handle much more land-based trade between Europe and Asia.

“We are addressing missing links, bottlenecks, capacity shortages, border-crossings, and other issues that are currently limiting the connectivity,” the report states.

Henrik Hololei remarked that “The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is a flagship project of our Global Gateway strategy,” adding, “The Global Gateway strategy stands for sustainable and trusted connectivity that works for people, businesses, and the globe.”

Making geography work

“You cannot beat geography, but you can make geography work for you. Time is of the essence. All studies point to the same conclusion: investments are needed now to remove the bottlenecks along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko, adding that the corridor will play an important role in promoting sustainable development and peace in both Central Asia and South Caucasus.

The Coordination Platform will promote the corridor and coordinate efforts on the implementation of priority hard and soft infrastructure projects in Central Asia. It will also boost and coordinate investments in rail, road, and port infrastructure.

Hololei expressed optimism about the platform’s impact, saying: “The Coordination Platform for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor marks a significant step forward in our cooperation to bring Central Asia and Europe closer together. Sustainable transport connections are crucial for consolidating the region’s economic growth and enhancing connectivity with Europe.”

Last year, cargo transport along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route exceeded 2.7 million tonnes, growing by 86 percent. This figure is expected to grow further, reaching 4.2 million tonnes this year.

In recent years, EU-Central Asia relations have strengthened through several high-level meetings, including the first-ever EU-Central Asia summit to take place later.

Fast-paced, competitive

Hololei remarked that “There is more to come to take our partnership with Central Asia to a new level. This is supported by the many ambitious economic and societal reforms implemented in Central Asia over the past years, which has made it a fast-paced and fast-developing region.”

He also stated that it is in Europe’s interest to make the corridor competitive, predictable, affordable, sustainable, and smart by effectively breaking down logistics barriers and unlocking the region’s economic potential.

[By Nicole Verbeeck I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]

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