Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Division for Central Asia, announced progress in negotiations on a Framework Agreement with Turkmenistan, which could pave the way for the EIB to start operating in the country. This was reported by the online publication ‘Business Turkmenistan’.

In addition, E. Bumsteinas noted that the EIB has named 2025 as a key year for the development of EU cooperation with Central Asian countries and announced its intention to increase its activity in the region in 2026.

In 2025, the bank increased its financing of projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, focusing on sustainable development, infrastructure, digital connectivity and climate resilience as part of the Global Gateway initiative. In 2026, the bank plans to open its first regional office in Tashkent.

The EIB also emphasised the strategic importance of Central Asia for the EU in terms of transport connectivity, energy security and climate policy.