The EU noted the growing role of Moldova and Ukraine in Europe's efforts to diversify and strengthen its transport network and promised major investments in their infrastructure for full integration into European networks
This is stated, among other things, in a study conducted by the European Union, which identified the investment needs for restoring trade routes between Europe and Central Asia via the Caucasus. The document states that the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, a network of railways and ports connecting China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea, is becoming an alternative trade route between Europe and Asia. Since 2022, trade volumes along this corridor have quadrupled, and with the right investments, they could increase threefold by 2030. To translate this advantage into concrete projects, the European Commission has published an EU-funded meta-analysis showing where investments are needed to strengthen transport, trade, energy, and digital connections along the corridor. The study states that while the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor serves as a key East-West artery connecting Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the EU, the examples of Ukraine and Moldova represent a separate but complementary aspect of regional transport infrastructure. Their strategic orientation is primarily determined by integration into the EU rather than participation in Trans-Caspian transit flows, but they remain connected to the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor via the western interface through the Black Sea and Danube ports, connecting to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) network. Since 2022, the EU-Ukraine and EU-Moldova “Solidarity Lanes” have become critical for maintaining exports and supply chains, especially for agricultural, industrial, and raw material products. Both countries are now part of the extended TEN-T network, which is developing priority corridors for their direct connection to Central and Eastern Europe. Significant EU support is being directed towards modernizing railways and ports, changing track gauges, border terminals and improving navigation on the Danube, bringing infrastructure into line with EU standards. As noted by the EU, in order to achieve full integration, it is necessary to continue and deepen the current reforms, ensuring their further compliance with EU transport legislation, improving technical compatibility and the digitization of procedures. The document states that although major investments in infrastructure are planned as part of the TEN-T network expansion, faster progress on measures to ensure flexible connectivity is needed to achieve full integration of Moldova and Ukraine into the EU transport network. As EU candidate countries, Ukraine and Moldova are encouraged to accelerate the implementation and compatibility of EU digital systems, such as eFTI-compliant data exchange, and to expand cross-border trade practices in line with EU standards. It is emphasized that a World Bank supply chain readiness study is currently being conducted for Moldova and Ukraine, focusing on potential operational and production bottlenecks for trade, including port productivity, logistics capacity, and border crossing operations. Once the study is complete, the EU could begin to implement the recommendations. Overall, the EU study identified key sectors where infrastructure is lacking, outdated, or no longer adequate for current traffic volumes. The document provides a solid basis for determining investment priorities in line with EU plans to restore trade routes with Central Asia via the South Caucasus. The practical investment guide gives governments and the private sector a clear idea of where their capital can have the greatest impact in creating modern and reliable infrastructure. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that freight volumes on trade routes connecting Europe and Asia through the South Caucasus and Turkey are growing rapidly. However, much of the infrastructure is outdated, so investment is urgently needed. However, these investments will only come if governments and companies have a clear understanding of where they will be most effective. The published study shows precisely where the modernization of railways, ports, customs procedures, energy and digital connections will bring the greatest benefits. The meta-analysis is based on three pillars: transport and trade, energy, and the digital environment. The study highlights the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian corridor as a reliable alternative route to Asia. To maintain high freight traffic flows, the authors of the meta-analysis recommend ensuring more uniform and harmonized customs rules. Given that the need for investment exceeds the capacity of state budgets, public-private partnerships are very important for modernizing infrastructure along the entire length of the corridor. The study also highlights the growing role of Ukraine and Moldova in Europe's efforts to diversify and strengthen its transport network. The meta-analysis identifies opportunities for diversifying energy connections, ensuring reliable interconnections between power lines, and supporting decarbonization efforts. It argues that modernized and more resilient networks, along with greater use of renewable energy, are paramount to ensuring energy security in an unstable geopolitical environment. Cooperation with private partners with relevant expertise to implement more complex infrastructure is also welcomed. In the digital sector, the study notes the growing strategic importance of reliable data transmission channels. It recommends creating alternative fiber optic corridors, laying fiber optic cable in conjunction with energy and transport projects, and creating new internet traffic exchange points. The authors of the meta-analysis cite satellite communications as a tool for ensuring resilience where terrestrial networks are not powerful enough. The study emphasizes cooperation with reliable technology partners, improving cybersecurity, complying with European and international standards, and supporting rapidly developing technologies such as artificial intelligence and local startups. As part of the EU's Global Gateway strategy, the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda aims to improve connections between the EU and Central Asia via Turkey and the South Caucasus through the coordination of strategic investments and regulatory norms. The aim of this measure is to increase trade volumes and boost socio-economic development through transport networks, energy, and effective digital connections. The Connectivity Agenda was announced at the Cross-Regional Security and Connectivity Ministerial Meeting held in Luxembourg on October 20, 2025. The document was then refined at the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and Connectivity Investors Forum held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on November 27, 2025. Participants at both events agreed that the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor is no longer just an aspiration, but has become a strategically important route, reflecting geopolitical changes and the weaknesses of the Northern Transport Corridor. // 09.02.2026 – InfoMarket
