European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new connectivity initiative linking the European Union with the South Caucasus and Central Asia, with Brussels targeting up to €12 billion in investment for transport, digital networks, energy and critical raw-material projects.
The initiative aims to connect European markets with Central Asia through the Black Sea region, Türkiye and the South Caucasus. It will build on the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor.
The €12 billion figure represents a broader investment package for Central Asia rather than a single infrastructure contract. The planned funding will support transport connectivity, critical-raw-material supply chains, digital networks, energy, water and climate-related projects.
The European Union has also established a Connectivity Agenda Platform to coordinate investment and policy action across transport, energy, digital connectivity and trade. The platform is intended to bring together governments, international financial institutions and private investors.
The proposed route would run from European markets across the Black Sea and the South Caucasus toward Central Asia. It would involve Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, along with EU member states and international financial institutions.
The corridor is strategically important because it could provide Europe with an alternative trade route to Central Asia and other Asian markets. It may also help the EU strengthen supply-chain resilience, improve energy security and secure access to critical minerals.
The Trans-Caspian route uses railways, ports and maritime links across Europe, Türkiye, the Black Sea, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Supporters say improved infrastructure could increase trade capacity and reduce delays along the route.
The project faces several challenges, including limited rail and port capacity, fragmented customs procedures, border delays, the need for expanded Caspian Sea shipping services and different regulatory systems among participating countries.
EU officials are expected to focus on identifying commercially viable projects, coordinating financing and improving customs procedures. The investment target is likely to involve a combination of EU funds, loans, guarantees and private-sector capital rather than one immediate payment.
The initiative also includes plans for secure fibre-optic networks, stronger internet infrastructure, modern electricity systems and renewable-energy cooperation. These projects are intended to ensure that the corridor supports more than the movement of goods.
The next phase will involve discussions with partner governments, financial institutions and private companies. Progress will depend on project approvals, financing arrangements, regulatory coordination and the ability of participating countries to address infrastructure bottlenecks.
