Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has embarked on her first official mission to Central Asia, signaling Rome’s intention to deepen its political and economic footprint in a region that has long stood at the crossroads of global influence. With stops in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the tour underscores Italy’s growing interest in fostering strategic partnerships beyond its traditional European sphere.
This landmark visit is not only historic in scope but also timely. As geopolitical realignments redraw international alliances, Meloni’s move positions Italy as a proactive player in a region increasingly shaped by the gravitational pulls of Russia, China, and now, a more assertive Europe.
On May 28, Meloni touched down in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking the first official visit by an Italian head of government to the country since 1997. Hosted by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the meeting was both symbolic and substantive.
The two leaders signed more than ten bilateral agreements, including a Joint Declaration on Critical Raw Materials—an area of increasing strategic importance as global demand for rare earths and green transition technologies accelerates. Other accords centered on bolstering cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and water resource management—key sectors in Uzbekistan’s national development strategy.
The Italian delegation included prominent industry players such as Danieli, Ansaldo Energia, and Sogesid. Of particular note was Sogesid’s memorandum of understanding with the International Institute for Central Asian Studies, aiming to support ecological restoration efforts around the Aral Sea, one of the world’s most urgent environmental catastrophes.
Meloni’s presence, backed by a strong business contingent, reflected Italy’s intent not just to trade but to invest in the long-term growth and transformation of Uzbekistan’s economy.
From Samarkand, the Italian Prime Minister’s diplomatic convoy heads to Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, where on May 30 she is slated to participate in the first-ever Italy–Central Asia Summit. The gathering will bring together heads of state from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, marking a turning point in Italy’s engagement with the region as a whole.
The visit is strategically framed by the Italy–Kazakhstan Supply Chain Forum, held two days earlier, which convened more than 300 businesses and organizations. With over $8 billion in potential investments on the table, the forum has laid the groundwork for future partnerships in energy, logistics, agriculture, and advanced technology.
Meloni is expected to witness the signing of major bilateral agreements, including a deal between Italian firm Maire and Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna to create an engineering and industrial hub. Another high-profile agreement between Samruk-Kazyna and Ansaldo Energia will focus on producing gas turbine components, reinforcing Italy’s presence in Kazakhstan’s growing energy infrastructure.
These deals are underpinned by a robust trade relationship—bilateral trade between Italy and Kazakhstan soared to nearly $20 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year.
Meloni’s Central Asia tour is more than diplomatic choreography—it reflects Italy’s recalibrated foreign policy in a shifting global order. While the region remains deeply connected to Russia and increasingly intertwined with Chinese investment and infrastructure, Italy is carving a niche for itself by offering an alternative vision grounded in mutual benefit, long-term cooperation, and European integration.
For Rome, the message is clear: Italy is no longer content to be a passive observer in Eurasia. With strategic investments, shared technology, and political goodwill, Meloni is betting that the Central Asian republics will welcome a reliable European partner who brings more than promises to the table.
As the summit in Astana convenes, the outcomes may well set the tone for a new chapter in Euro-Asian diplomacy—one in which Italy plays a defining role.
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