From 15 to 19 June 2026, senior representatives from ministries and digital agencies in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan participated in a study tour in Lithuania focused on digital ecosystem development, funded by the European Union through the Connectivity for Central Asia (C4CA) project. The tour included workshops on digitalization, regulation, and network development, as well as visits to lab facilities in Kaunas and Dovainonys. The initiative is part of the Global Gateway Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia, which aims to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive digital economies in the region.
Nicola Franceschetti, Program Manager for Kazakhstan and Central Asia at the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, said the tour reflects the Global Gateway's spirit of partnerships built on shared knowledge and mutual trust. Delegates from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan expressed gratitude for the insights gained, particularly on modern network infrastructure and artificial intelligence. The tour follows a similar exchange last November for delegates from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan, meaning all five Central Asian countries have now benefited from the program.
The study tour is part of the soft pillar of the Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity, implemented by a consortium of five EU cooperation agencies coordinated by Expertise France, with Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania as partners. The initiative aims to foster safe and inclusive satellite connectivity access and use across Central Asia, targeting women, youth, and marginalized groups to support digitally-driven socio-economic inclusion.