Mirziyoyev heads to Samarkand for meeting with Italian Prime Minister Meloni

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev departed for Samarkand today, May 28, according to the presidential press service.

As previously announced, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on May 28–29.

The high-level talks in Samarkand will focus on strengthening the Uzbek-Italian strategic partnership and expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Originally, Prime Minister Meloni had planned to visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from April 25 to 27 to participate in a summit involving the leaders of Central Asian countries. However, the trip was postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 and the national mourning period that ensued.

On May 30, the first-ever summit between the leaders of Central Asian nations and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will take place in Astana.