High-Level Platform meets in Moldova to strengthen digital connectivity between the EU and Central Asia

Today, the first High-Level Connectivity Platform Meeting on Digital takes place in Chișinău, Moldova, jointly hosted by the European Commission and the Moldovan Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation. The meeting sets the groundwork for stronger digital connectivity between Europe and Centra Asia, via Moldova, in the form of an Integrated EU Secure Connectivity Offer.

The Platform brings together European technology, expertise, standards and financing to strengthen secure, trusted and resilient digital connectivity. It contributes to the EU's plans to develop the Middle Corridor, which will connect Central Asia across the Caspian Sea to the South Caucasus and directly to the European market, via Türkiye and the Black Sea. The aim is to diversify routes, triple trade flows and slash freight transit times by 2030.

The meeting brings together Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Prime Minister of Moldova Vasile Tofan, with ministers responsible for digital transformation and senior representatives from EU Member States, the Black Sea region, Türkiye, South Caucasus and Central Asia, international financial institutions and the private sector.

The Integrated EU Secure Connectivity Offer is a regional application of the EU Tech Business Offer as outlined in the EU International Digital Strategy, and in line with EU secure connectivity initiatives such as IRIS and policies such as the EU toolbox for 5G security.

Under the Connectivity Agenda Platform, the Offer will facilitate strategic investment projects in trusted digital infrastructure with partner countries by bringing together European industry expertise, EU public financing instruments and security standard along the Middle Corridor. This will make the region safer, better connected and more resilient, benefiting both citizens and the economy.

Turning regional ambitions into concrete projects

The Commission has exchanged Statements of Intent with partner countries, private sector partners, Member State organisations and international financial institutions, which will mobilise up to €623 million for investments and technical support in 5G networks, space-based connectivity, artificial intelligence and data centres. This will support the implementation of the Cross-regional Connectivity Agenda, presented at the Cross-regional Security and Connectivity Ministerial Meeting in October 2025 and part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy. The Agenda aims to strengthen transport, energy and digital links between the European Union and Central Asia through the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region by coordinating strategic investments and regulatory cooperation.

In addition, the European Commission and Moldova announced the launch of the WIFI4Moldova initiative, which will provide free WIFI to 30 Moldovan municipalities.

These projects will advance cooperation on secure terrestrial and satellite connectivity, data centre infrastructure, and research and innovation, translating the Connectivity Agenda into concrete investment opportunities.

Background

The Connectivity Agenda Platform, launched in June 2026, provides a framework for advancing the Connectivity Agenda by coordinating investments and policy action across transport and trade, energy and digital connectivity. It brings together partner countries, EU Member States, international financial institutions and private sector to strengthen regional cooperation and the development of strategic investment projects. Building on the successful launch of the Platform, the Commission organised the Connectivity Platform meetings focusing on digital issues. This will be followed by a meeting focused on energy, which will take place in 2027. In addition, we are continuing to strengthen the political momentum with the 2nd Connectivity and Security Ministerial to be held in Brussels on 16 November.

For more information

Cross-Regional Security and Connectivity ministerial meeting - October 2025

Global Gateway - European Commission

Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum

EU launches Connectivity Agenda Platform to strengthen links between Europe and Central Asia