On 10 July 2026, the Council adopted joint Franco-German comments on the Draft Council Conclusions for a globally connected EU connectivity strategy. The comments affirm connectivity as a key priority for the upcoming EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and call for extending the strategy globally, notably to Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean, the Indo-Pacific region, the Eastern Neighbourhood, and the Western Balkans.
The document recalls the 2018 Joint Communication 'Connecting Europe and Asia' and stresses that investments must respect G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment and contribute to the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement. The Covid-19 pandemic is cited as having exposed connectivity's strategic importance for economic growth, security, resilience, and diversification of value chains.
The Council welcomes existing EU partnerships with Japan (September 2019) and India (May 2021), as well as the EU-ASEAN joint statement (December 2020). A Team Europe approach is encouraged, including mapping connectivity initiatives within six months after adoption and presenting a proposal by the end of 2021. A coherent financing scheme should pool public and private resources, using the MFF 2021-2027, EFSD+, Next Generation EU, and a possible Digital Connectivity Fund. The private sector is to be mobilised via a Business Advisory Group, sustainable finance, and export credits.
Visibility actions include a unifying narrative, a new brand name, and regular editions of the Europa Connectivity Forum. The Council will discuss progress annually based on progress reports.
The comments impact EU institutions, Member States, and partner regions. For EU institutions, the strategy requires coordination across Commission, EEAS, and Member States. For Member States, it implies aligning national infrastructure plans with EU priorities. For partner regions, it offers investment opportunities but also demands adherence to quality standards. For the private sector, it opens avenues for participation through advisory groups and sustainable finance mechanisms.
The Commission and High Representative are invited to present a concrete proposal by end of 2021, with the Council set to review progress annually.