Mirziyoyev discusses Afghanistan with Costa and von der Leyen

Today, April 3, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, held a meeting with the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who are visiting the country as part of the Samarkand Summit. The meeting was reported by the presidential press service.  

During the talks, the parties exchanged views on key international and regional issues, including efforts to support Afghanistan’s socio-economic development.  

Discussions also focused on strengthening multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union, particularly in trade, economic, and investment sectors.  

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Stabilizing Afghanistan aligns with regional interests - Mirziyoyev

“It was noted with particular satisfaction that active dialogues and fruitful exchanges at various levels are being conducted, along with effective work within institutional mechanisms of practical cooperation. An agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation is currently being prepared for signing,” the statement read.  

The volume of trade between Uzbekistan and EU countries is steadily increasing, with investment projects involving leading European companies exceeding 30 billion euros. Uzbekistan remains a major beneficiary of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, while a regional office of the European Investment Bank is set to open in Tashkent.  

The heads of the EU’s main institutions highly praised and reaffirmed their strong support for Uzbekistan’s ongoing economic reform program, as well as its policy of fostering good-neighborly relations, trust, and partnership in Central Asia.  

The discussions also emphasized the advancement of joint programs and cooperation projects in innovation, green energy, mining, agriculture, transport, logistics, digitalization, and other sectors. Both sides highlighted the importance of further exchanges in tourism, culture, science, education, and healthcare.  

Additionally, the agenda of the upcoming first high-level summit in the "Central Asia - European Union" format was reviewed, along with prospects for enhancing regional connectivity under Europe’s "Global Gateway" strategy.  

For reference, the first summit between the European Union and Central Asia is set to take place in Samarkand on April 3-4. The meeting, chaired by President Mirziyoyev, will be attended by the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Following this, on April 4-5, the first Samarkand Climate Forum will be held at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center. The event is expected to gather Central Asian leaders alongside representatives from the European Union, the United Nations, international financial institutions, and leading environmental organizations.  

It is worth noting that on April 2, President António Costa, President Ursula von der Leyen, and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Samarkand to participate in the summit. That evening, Mirziyoyev held a separate meeting with António Costa, followed by discussions with Ursula von der Leyen on April 3.  

Earlier today, April 3, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, also arrived in Samarkand.