Original text
European Commission - Press release EU launches Connectivity Agenda Platform to strengthen links between Europe and Central Asia through the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus Brussels, 23 June 2026 Today, the European Commission launched the Connectivity Agenda Platform and concluded agreements with international financial institutions expected to mobilise up to €2 billion for strategic connectivity investments...
European Commission - Press release EU launches Connectivity Agenda Platform to strengthen links between Europe and Central Asia through the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus Brussels, 23 June 2026 Today, the European Commission launched the Connectivity Agenda Platform and concluded agreements with international financial institutions expected to mobilise up to €2 billion for strategic connectivity investments in the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus. The Platform was unveiled at a high-level ministerial meeting hosted by Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos , Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela , and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas . The meeting brought together ministers of transport and senior representatives from EU Member States, Armenia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, alongside representatives of the G7 and international financial institutions, to advance the Cross- regional Connectivity Agenda under the Global Gateway strategy . The Connectivity Agenda Platform will provide a framework for participating countries, international financial institutions and other stakeholders to coordinate investments and policy action across transport, energy, digital connectivity and trade sectors. To further strengthen the cooperation with the region, the participants also agreed to strengthen the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor's operational performance. They invited the Commission to assess the corridor's functioning and propose priority actions to improve its competitiveness. To support the implementation of the Connectivity Agenda, the Commission has concluded statements of intent with international financial institutions expected to mobilise up to €2 billion for investments in transport infrastructure, border crossing points and trade facilitation across the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus. These investments will help improve cross-border connections and facilitate trade along the corridor. Background The Cross-regional Connectivity Agenda, presented at the Cross-regional Security and Connectivity Ministerial Meeting in Luxembourg in October 2025, is part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy . It aims to strengthen transport, energy and digital links between the European Union and Central Asia through the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region by coordinating strategic investments and regulatory cooperation. At the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (TCTC) and Connectivity Investors Forum in Tashkent in November 2025, participants highlighted the corridor's growing strategic importance as a resilient and efficient route between Europe and Central Asia. For more information Cross-Regional Security and Connectivity ministerial meeting - October 2025 Global Gateway - European Commission Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum Meta Study - Advancing a Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda IP/26/1430 Quote(s): "At a time of growing conflict, it is great to see so many countries come together around a shared project. We need reliable trade routes, and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor has emerged as exactly that. Trade along the route could increase fivefold over the next 15 years. To make this happen, we need to bring our efforts together. Many projects and initiatives are already under way. The Platform will connect them, fill the remaining infrastructure gaps and link the route from end to end." Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement "The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is becoming a vital bridge between Europe and Asia. With these new investment agreements, we are upgrading infrastructure, improving border crossings and helping create a route that is quicker, more reliable and better connected. This is not only about transport. It is about competitiveness, energy security and giving citizens and companies the confidence that trade and mobility can continue even in times of geopolitical pressure." Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships "Competitive economies depend on strong transport networks and connectivity. By mobilising up to €2 billion in strategic investments, we are modernising transport infrastructure, strengthening border crossings and facilitating trade. This will unlock economic opportunities for Europe and its partners in Central Asia, the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region, boost resilience and deliver tangible benefits for businesses and citizens alike." Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Press contacts: Guillaume MERCIER (+32 2 29 80564) Yuliya MATSYK (+32 2 29 13173) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
Speech Brief