Tajik President Emomali Rahmon today morning departed for Kyrgyzstan to participate in the second European Union (EU)-Central Asian Summit that is being held in Kyrgyzstan’s resort town of Cholpon-Ata today.
The Tajik president’s official website says foreign minister, minister of economic development and trade, presidential adviser for economic issues and some other officials are accompanying Emomali Rahmon on his visit to Kyrgyzstan.
Emomali Rahmon is reportedly planned to hold a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit.
President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers Nurmukhammet Amannepesov are participating in the summit.
The European Union is represented by European Council (EC) President, Mr. Charles Michel.
Kyrgyz president’s press service says the summit participants will discuss the state and prospects of further expansion of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the regions.
They will also exchange views on a number of topical international and regional issues being of mutual interest.
The EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan says that during this visit, President Michel will also hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Central Asian countries. He will have a separate bilateral visit program in Kyrgyzstan on 3 June that will include meeting with the President Sadyr Japarov. The sides will discuss the state of play and prospects of bilateral relations.
The first European Union (EU)-Central Asian Summit took place in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, on October 27 was held on October 27 last year.
Participants in the meeting included EC President Charles Michel and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The participants evaluated outcomes and reaffirmed a mutual desire to continue strengthening ties with one another.
Mr. Charles Michel reportedly expressed a desire for closer future cooperation with Central Asian countries.
The Central Asian leaders made clear their desire to strengthen institutionalized cooperation between the European Union and the Central Asian states and to establish greater “sustainable connectivity.” The EU Global Gateway strategy and the national transport and transit development initiatives of Central Asian countries coincide with this goal.
Central Asian heads of state commended the EU for its continued economic cooperation during the recovery period from the pandemic. They stressed that continuing to build financial relationships and regional investments can further promote their relationships through “connectivity and trade.”
A significant topic of discussion was the recognition that efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Afghan people need to be expanded due to the impact of developments in Afghanistan on the region.
