Central Asian Presidents discuss cooperation with Mirziyoyev

On April 3, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held meetings with the leaders of Central Asian states who arrived in Samarkand to participate in the first “Central Asia – European Union” summit. This was reported by the press services of the heads of state.

During the meeting, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov conveyed the sincere greetings of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

“Discussions focused on further developing and strengthening the friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

It was noted with great satisfaction that trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $1.1 billion last year and continues to grow steadily,” the report stated.

It was also highlighted that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are successfully implementing cooperation projects in industries such as energy, transport, agriculture, and water management. A cross-border trade zone, “Shovot-Toshovuz,” is being jointly established. Additionally, inter-regional dialogues and cultural-humanitarian exchanges are held regularly.

Particular attention was given to preparing for upcoming high-level bilateral and multilateral events and advancing joint projects aimed at broad cooperation.

Meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov

In a meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the trilateral meeting of heads of state in Khujand on March 31, during which a historic agreement on the joint border’s contiguous point was signed.

Discussions were held on implementing high-level agreements, specifically in accelerating important cooperation projects in industries such as energy, transport, and infrastructure.

The leaders emphasized the need to sustain active inter-regional connections and cultural-humanitarian exchanges. They also exchanged views on upcoming events and other pressing regional cooperation issues.

Meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon

During talks with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, the leaders welcomed the historic outcomes of the March 31 trilateral meeting in Khujand.

“The full resolution of border issues was highlighted as a new chapter in advancing regional cooperation.

The meeting also focused on strengthening friendship, good neighborliness, strategic partnership, and alliance relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan,” the report stated.

Special attention was given to the implementation of high-level agreements. The need to develop concrete measures during the upcoming Intergovernmental Commission meeting this month to increase trade turnover and accelerate cooperation projects was also emphasized.

Meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Discussions with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev centered on enhancing Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan strategic partnership and alliance relations, taking into account agreements reached during the recent informal meeting of the two leaders in Almaty.

The leaders stressed the importance of coordinated measures by the two governments to increase trade turnover, promote economic projects and humanitarian programs, including at the regional level.

An agreement was reached to expedite the launch of the International Center for Industrial Cooperation. Views were also exchanged on the regional agenda and the schedule for upcoming high-level events.

On April 2, European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Samarkand to participate in the first “Central Asia – European Union” summit. That evening, Mirziyoyev held an informal meeting with António Costa, followed by a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen on April 3.

After the Uzbekistan-European high-level talks, a joint tree-planting ceremony took place. Mirziyoyev, Costa, and von der Leyen planted two oak trees in the Congress Center Boulevard in Samarkand. The leaders also visited the “Eternal City” historical and ethnographic complex at the Samarkand International Tourism Center.

On April 3, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in Samarkand for the summit.