Foreign ministers of EU and Central Asian countries convene in Samarkand

The event was attended by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi, the Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, the FM of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Aybek Moldogaziev and the Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev.

At the meeting, the leaders of the foreign policy agencies discussed the current state and prospects of mutual relations between the two regions in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic and other spheres.

The Uzbek side is interested in expanding and deepening mutually beneficial relations with the European Union and fully supports the European Union’s strategy for Central Asia adopted in 2019. The importance of adopting a joint "roadmap" to speed up the implementation of this strategy was voiced.

Vladimir Norov emphasized that modern Afghanistan is not a source of threat but rather a source of new opportunities. He noted the importance of not allowing it to be isolated and neglected and urged to take measures to solve the difficult humanitarian situation in this country. At the same time, the minister added that Uzbekistan supports the demands of the world community that should be fulfilled by the Taliban.

The head of the foreign policy office of Uzbekistan also said that in the conditions of global stability, the countries of Central Asia can be favorable and promising markets that can become new growth points for European companies.