At the Samarkand Climate Forum in Uzbekistan, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen proclaimed a so-called “new era” in relations with Central Asia, as the EU attempts to assert itself in a region where Russian and Chinese influence are growing strong amid global turbulence.
Central Asia, rich in natural resources and sitting at a strategic crossroads, has long attracted interest from global powers. “This is the start of a new era in our ancient friendship,” von der Leyen told regional leaders.
As traditional alliances weaken, von der Leyen emphasized the EU’s need for dependable allies. “New global barriers arise, investments are being redirected, powers around the world are carving up new spheres of influence,” she said. The statement came just two days after U.S. president Donald Trump announced retaliatory tariffs on the EU, further straining transatlantic ties and exposing vulnerabilities in Brussels’ approach to global trade.
Faced with growing internal dissent and economic pressures, the European Commission appears eager to rebrand its pursuit of foreign markets as a benevolent climate mission. Von der Leyen spoke of helping Central Asia become a “clean energy powerhouse,” though this conveniently aligns with the EU’s scramble to secure access to rare minerals vital to its own green tech ambitions.
Highlighting the region’s uranium, cobalt, and copper reserves, von der Leyen described it as a “honey pot for global players.” She claimed Europe offers superior technology and unfiltered access to high-speed internet—implicitly criticizing Russia and China—while ignoring the irony that within the EU itself, Brussels has increasingly taken a gatekeeping role, especially when clashing with national governments over domestic policy.
Although EU officials paid lip service to human rights concerns, they quickly pivoted to a more pragmatic tone. “We’re not going there to preach, but to make our concerns known and work together,” one official stated—an approach that underscores the EU’s willingness to set aside its principles when politically or economically convenient.
