Central Asian countries to hold first summit with Italy

On May 30, the first summit involving the leaders of Central Asian countries and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will take place in Astana, the Kazakh capital. This was reported by the press service of the President of Kazakhstan.

On the same day, the Italian government head will make an official visit to Kazakhstan.

Meloni had initially planned to attend the summit with Central Asian leaders from April 25 to 27, visiting Uzbekistan first and then Kazakhstan. However, due to the death of Pope Francis on April 21 and the subsequent mourning events, the visits were postponed. Meloni is now scheduled to visit Samarkand on May 28-29.

It is worth noting that the “Central Asian Five” — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — have regularly held summits with other state leaders for several years. Similar meetings also take place with the participation of foreign ministers or heads of other agencies.

This summer, Astana plans to host the “Central Asia – China” summit, followed by the “Central Asia – Russia” summit in Dushanbe in the fall.

For reference, on April 3-4 this year, the first Central Asia – European Union summit was held in Samarkand. It was attended by the leaders of Central Asian countries, the President of the European Council Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso. As a result, relations between the European Union and Central Asia were elevated to a strategic partnership level. The EU also pledged investments worth 12 billion euros in Central Asia.