EU's Samarkand charm offensive lacks wow factor

Central Asia wants firm deals on critical minerals, and soon. The Europeans believe they have a tempting proposition.

The EU delegation visiting Registan Square, accompanied by Uzbek officials.

Ursula von der Leyen opened her speech in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with a pearl of wisdom fit for stencilling on the wall of an Airbnb flat.

“It was the great explorer of the past, Ibn Batuta, who said: ‘travel leaves you speechless.’ And that was after visiting Samarkand,” the Euro…