The first regional Central Asia-European Union (EU) high-level meeting with the participation of leaders of five Central Asian states and European Council President Charles Michel took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana on October 27.
The press service of the Ak Orda (the official workplace of the President of Kazakhstan) says Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Deputy Chair of Turkmenistan’s Cabinet of Ministers Hojamyrat Geldimyradow and President of the European Council Charles Michel participated in the event.
The leaders reportedly outlined the results of the 30 years of multilateral cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue building a strong, diversified and forward-looking partnership underpinned by shared values and mutual interests.
According to the Tajik president’s official website, the meeting participants exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including various aspects of regional security and the problem of Afghanistan.
Speaking at the meeting, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted that the event is another good opportunity to discuss and agree on actions against the backdrop of global geopolitical changes aimed at strengthening the constructive development of interregional cooperation, the Tajik president’s official website says.
Tajik leader reportedly expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Union, the adoption of a new European Union Strategy for Central Asia, and also thanked the leadership of the European Union for providing assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Tajik president’s official website notes that it was highlighted that Tajikistan fully supports the efforts to develop interregional cooperation in the fields of economy, transport and communications, water and energy management and other issues aimed at further sustainable development of our countries.
Emomali Rahmon reportedly also spoke about the possibility of strengthening and expanding relations between the countries within the framework of "Central Asia – European Union" format in promising areas of trade and economy, food security, agriculture, transport, logistics and energy.
He also emphasized that climate change, melting glaciers, increased precipitation and floods, droughts and the negative consequences of these phenomena, which have an adverse impact on the economic and social situation of countries.
