The “Global Gateway” is an initiative of the European Union to invest in the digital, energy and transport sectors, healthcare, education and science of the countries, as declared, to meet global infrastructure development needs. In practice, the initiative is aimed at expanding the EU’s political influence in the world and increasing the number of markets for European products. In Central Asia, the EU has launched projects in various fields within the framework of the “Global Gateway” initiative: energy, satellite communications, roads and transport, climate change. In implementing the Central Asia plan, the EU aims to overcome the energy crisis, find new logistics routes and markets, and compete with Russia and China in the region. Uzbekistan, as one of the key players in Central Asia, is an active participant in the initiative and represents the EU’s interest in opening up new trade routes and natural resources. The leaders of the state are interested in attracting European investments, especially in the field of digital transformation and a “green” agenda. Despite the advantages, the initiative has a number of disadvantages and implementation challenges. The EU’s attempt to compete with Russia and China in cooperation with Uzbekistan faces significant obstacles and does not always turn out to be successful. The European Union, which is focused on its own interests, is losing out against the actions of other partners of the state and initiatives aimed at cooperation in areas of primary importance to Uzbekistan itself.
Global Gateway, European Union, Uzbekistan, Central Asia, post- Soviet space, EU policy, investment, competition