The continental isolation of the 5 Central Asian countries does not shield them from global changes
Energy, logistics, and finance are their priorities. Small size or low population offer no protection from necessary changes, as seen in Kyrgyzstan.
By Gérard Vespierre (*)
In the long run, Central Asia has experienced a unique evolution. After facing conquest by the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, and then under Soviet domination, the 5 Soviet Socialist Republics of Central Asia chose independence in the 1990s. In the 21st century, they are at the center of a major clash. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have become a major strategic focus due to their geographical position as a corridor and their natural resources.
The great game in Central Asia
The establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union by Moscow in 2015 and its decision-making body, the Eurasian Economic Supre
…
Europe cannot be absent
Undoubtedly, the European Union cannot ignore the Asian center of its continent. The EU’s strategy for Central Asia, presented in 2007, was the founding document. Revisions in 2015, 2019, and 2023 have strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation, specifying priorities: political dialogue, economic ties, energy, climate, security, and human exchanges. Following the examples of China and the United States, the first EU-Central Asia summit at the level of heads of state and presidents of the European Commission and Council took place in Samarkand in April 2025.
France has followed a steady path of accelerating its relations with Central Asia, accompanying the evolution of the European Union and taking into account major geopolitical events. Kyrgyzstan has been an important partner during the decade of intervention in Afghanistan. Kazakhstan now plays a major partnering role.
Central Asia amidst opportunities and constraints
The potential of the strategic resources of the 5 Central Asian countries, hydrocarbons, uranium, rare earths, the impact of the war launched by Russia in Ukraine, and their logistical corridor position between China, Russia, and Europe have created unprecedented potential for development opportunities. Constraints have emerged in finance, banking, and regulations.
The upheavals and pressures from economic and financial sanctions against Russia in the conflict in Ukraine complicate the situation. Opening or attempting to open new distribution channels and financial paths on a large scale is difficult. The Central Asian countries and their banking and financial networks naturally serve as conduits to accelerate economic and financial exchanges between Moscow and Beijing.
Kyrgyzstan example of transformation
Like its four neighbors, Kyrgyzstan faces disruptions in commercial networks and pressures related to circumventing the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and the European Union. This is one of the aspects of the actions and controls that its administration must effectively implement.
But this country also works to adopt international compliance standards, for example by creating the Tamchy Investment Zone. This decision comes at a time when the European Union accounts for nearly 25% of the trade of the 5 Central Asian countries and 40% of inbound investments. This Special Investment Zone initiative meets the needs of investors, offering long-term stability and growth. The Tamchy zone will operate legally under English “Common Law,” supported by an independent dispute resolution mechanism. This framework allows full capital mobility, transactions in any currency, and guarantees the repatriation of 100% of profits. The fiscal environment is clear. Comparable initiatives in Gulf countries show that the international investor community appreciates these simplified regulations and benefits the host country.
Kyrgyzstan aims to maintain its growth rate, which reached 11% in 2025, and regionally offers a tangible platform for growth and compliance.
Bilateral opportunities
In November 2023, a meeting between Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart Sadyr Japarov marked an important step in economic development projects, with the holding of a Franco-Kyrgyz business forum.
The country is witnessing a massive acceleration of energy projects, especially in hydropower, an area where France has solid experience. Kyrgyzstan plans 2 to 3 new hydroelectric projects per year by 2029, including a major tripartite project involving Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The latter represents an investment of billions of Euros, supported by the World Bank and the EBRD.
A French contribution to this project would align with the strengthened partnership and cooperation agreement signed between the EU and Kyrgyzstan in 2024…
(* Geopolitical analyst, graduate of ISC Paris, DEA finances Dauphine PSL, founder of the web media www.le-monde-decrypte.com, IDFM 98.0 columnist, regular TV and radio speaker.)
