The development of a high-capacity regional research and education network in Central Asia has been a top priority on the European Union's agenda for the region. Aiming to open this less-developed part of the world to Europe and beyond and thus fuel its further democratization and integration, the EU has backed the project with 5 million euros from EuropeAid, committed through 2011. Central Asian national research and education networks (NRENs) are also providing additional financial support.
A total of 1 million students and researchers at more than 200 universities and research centers along the ancient Silk Road in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will have access to high-capacity Internet links, effectively bridging the communication gap and promoting regional development and cohesion.
The countries involved in the scope of CAREN currently use the slower, satellite-based Virtual Silk Highway to get Internet access for research purposes. Southern Caucasus countries also access the Internet through the same project.
