European Council President and European Commission President to Visit Uzbekistan for the First Time
Political
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Uzbekistan on April 3–4 to participate in the first European Union — Central Asia summit, the EU delegation in Uzbekistan reported.
The summit, chaired by Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will be attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Previously, Samarkand was chosen as the venue for the event. The summit was originally scheduled for 2024 but was postponed to 2025 due to the formation of a new EU government last year.
"The summit will be a key opportunity for the EU to demonstrate its geopolitical interest in deepening bilateral cooperation with Central Asia and expanding regional collaboration. In the changing geopolitical landscape, marked by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and ongoing developments in Afghanistan, EU-Central Asia relations are becoming increasingly strategic," the statement said.
During the summit, the EU is expected to reaffirm its commitment to expanding cooperation in mutually beneficial areas such as transport and digital connectivity—both within the region and with the EU—strategic raw materials, economy and security, as well as the transition to clean and efficient energy sources.
"We live in a world of disorder and division, and for the European Union, the only solution is to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of peace and prosperity. In a multipolar world, more active and purposeful engagement is necessary. The first EU-Central Asia summit will reinforce our commitment to working together for peace, security, and sustainable development while fully respecting international law," said António Costa.
For reference, the EU is the region's second-largest trading partner and the largest investor, accounting for over 40% of all investments in Central Asia. To deepen bilateral relations, the EU has concluded Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs) with all Central Asian countries except Turkmenistan. However, the agreement with Uzbekistan has not yet been signed.
"The summit will be a key opportunity for the EU to demonstrate its geopolitical interest in deepening bilateral cooperation with Central Asia and expanding regional collaboration. In the changing geopolitical landscape, marked by Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and ongoing developments in Afghanistan, EU-Central Asia relations are becoming increasingly strategic," the statement said.
During the summit, the EU is expected to reaffirm its commitment to expanding cooperation in mutually beneficial areas such as transport and digital connectivity—both within the region and with the EU—strategic raw materials, economy and security, as well as the transition to clean and efficient energy sources.
"We live in a world of disorder and division, and for the European Union, the only solution is to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of peace and prosperity. In a multipolar world, more active and purposeful engagement is necessary. The first EU-Central Asia summit will reinforce our commitment to working together for peace, security, and sustainable development while fully respecting international law," said António Costa.
For reference, the EU is the region's second-largest trading partner and the largest investor, accounting for over 40% of all investments in Central Asia. To deepen bilateral relations, the EU has concluded Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (EPCAs) with all Central Asian countries except Turkmenistan. However, the agreement with Uzbekistan has not yet been signed.
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