“We must never think about the trade and transport connectivity in the agenda as something separate from the broader reform agenda” – William Tompson, Head of the Eurasia Division, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) all’Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, January 2024
Connectivity has historically been a central theme for Uzbekistan, especially in the development of regional and international relations. Starting from the Silk Road routes linking the Fergana Valley with the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, the area of present-day Uzbekistan has for centuries represented one of the most densely populated centers of Central Asia, serving as a key hub for trade from East Asia to Europe, despite the challenges posed by the country’s geography.
Uzbekistan not only features vast desert areas, but it is also one of only two so-called double landlocked states in the world—meaning it has no direct access to the sea and borders only countries that are themselves landlocked. This geographical condition inevitably affects transport links and trade connectivity, but it also presents two positive aspects. First, dependence on third countries compels Uzbekistan to maintain good neighborly relations and to play a reference role diplomatically in the region. Second, its strategic location straddling two continents, combined with a significant domestic market and political stability, makes it highly attractive for the development of new trade routes.
It is no coincidence that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during the First EU–Central Asia Summit in April 2025, cited connectivity as the first strategic sector of interest for European investments, starting with the development and safeguarding of the Middle Corridor. This route, also known as the Trans-Caspian Corridor, is in fact an alternative to the longer maritime passage from China to Europe and to transit via Russia, currently subject to EU sanctions. Diversifying logistics routes linking East Asia also enables access to a range of markets from Central and Western Asia to the Caucasus, which would otherwise be excluded from traditional routes.
Since 2022, following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the volume of European trade through the Middle Corridor has increased significantly, but in recent months political milestones have been reached that could give new impetus to Uzbekistan’s economic relations with the European continent. In August, in fact, President Mirziyoyev repeatedly addressed the issue of transport and trade connectivity on several occasions.
During his address at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held from 5–8 August in Turkmenistan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the difficulties faced by Uzbekistan due to its lack of maritime access and its distance from major seaports. In his speech, he stressed the need to develop new secure transit corridors and, above all, to modernize infrastructure in order to create a solid foundation for sustainable development and improved regional connectivity.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Awaza Programme of Action, a ten-year plan aimed at facilitating the achievement of these goals. Uzbekistan has already embarked on a path of infrastructural modernization for several years, thanks to reforms implemented under Mirziyoyev’s government, and regional cooperation as well as collaboration with landlocked countries under the aegis of the UN provides an additional guarantee for the implementation of joint projects in this direction.
Also in Turkmenistan, on 22 August, a trilateral meeting was held between the leaders of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, which was described as “historic” by Mirziyoyev himself. The talks once again focused on cooperation among the three countries in trade and transport, also in light of the recent peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which offers the prospect of greater stability in the South Caucasus with commercial implications as well. During the meetings, several MoUs were signed, and a joint declaration was issued, reflecting the intention to cooperate on the integration of transport systems and to implement projects for shipping connections across the Caspian Sea.
These new regional and international agreements, combined with the EU’s interest in developing infrastructure along the Middle Corridor, could therefore lead to improved logistics and trade conditions for Uzbekistan. Looking ahead, such dynamics pave the way for greater economic integration with Europe and neighboring countries, while at the same time strengthening Tashkent’s role as a bridge between East and West.
Sources:
Euronews
Eureporter
Uzbekistan.org
Daryo
Photo:
president.uz
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For additional information, please contact CIUZ’s secretariat at the following address:
Samantha Rampini
Chamber of Commerce Italy-Uzbekistan
Via Monte Rosa, 93
20149 Milano
cell. +39 349 8847924