OMM Newsroom
The European Union (EU) has launched a new initiative to improve secure digital connectivity between Europe and Central Asia. The first meeting of the High-Level Platform on Digital Connectivity was held in Chisinau, Moldova, for this purpose.
The meeting took place on November 9 and was jointly organized by the European Commission and Moldova’s Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, AnewZ reports. Participants included EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, digitalization ministers and representatives from EU countries, the Black Sea region, Türkiye, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Moldovan media reported that President Maia Sandu also attended.
The European Commission said a memorandum of understanding to be signed with partner countries, companies and financial institutions would mobilize up to 623 million euros for investment and technical assistance. The funding will go toward 5G networks, satellite connectivity, artificial intelligence and data centers.
According to Moldova’s Ziarul Național, 10 declarations of intent were signed with countries at the meeting. The European Commission and Moldova also announced the WiFi4Moldova program, which aims to provide free Wi-Fi in 30 regions of the country.
EU seeks to diversify trade routes
The EU presents its plan as a “secure connectivity offer” based on European technologies, standards and financing. The initiative aims to support the Middle Corridor, which will connect Central Asia across the Caspian Sea to the South Caucasus, and then to European markets via Türkiye and the Black Sea.
By 2030, the EU aims to diversify trade routes, triple trade flows and reduce cargo transit times.
The digital connectivity meeting is part of the EU Connectivity Agenda Platform. Established in Brussels in June, the platform is intended to coordinate investment and policy measures across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea region and the EU.
Marta Kos described the Trans-Caspian route at the time as a reliable trade corridor and said trade along it could increase fivefold over 15 years.
The agenda is part of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy and was developed following a ministerial meeting on security and connectivity held in October 2025.
The platform’s next meeting, focused on energy, is planned for 2027. A second ministerial meeting on regional security and connectivity is scheduled to take place in Brussels on November 16.
