Mirziyoyev: Central Asia is choosing a new path of peace

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Central Asian leaders to gather in Tashkent

Central Asia is choosing a new path of peace, sustainable development, and constructive partnership. Symbolically, a bridge, not a wall, is being built. This was highlighted in an article titled ’’Central Asia on the threshold of a new era’’ by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, published today, November 13, ahead of the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent.

’’Thanks to the achievements in regional consolidation, Central Asia today has established itself as an independent and responsible participant in international relations, fully aware of its own interests and development paths.

The Central Asia plus cooperation formats reflect the growing role of the region as an international legal actor and recognize its importance as a key center of stability and development,’’ Mirziyoyev said.

It is noted that while previously foreign partners primarily built relations on a bilateral basis, today leading global powers and organizations are engaging with Central Asia as a unified regional partner. This development elevates the region’s interactions with other partners to a new level: when Central Asia communicates as a single subject of international relations, its voice is louder and more credible, its position stronger, and its ability to attract investments and deepen cooperation across all areas becomes more effective.

’’Our openness to the world, the transparency of our intentions, and our willingness to engage in dialogue have laid the foundation for a renewed perception of Central Asia on the international stage.

At the same time, more than ten ‘Central Asia Plus’ formats are actively linking the region with leading global powers and organizations. This year alone, summits such as Central Asia – European Union, Central Asia – China, Central Asia – Russia, and Central Asia – US have taken place, confirming the region’s growing intensity and strategic importance in global politics,’’ the article notes.

President Mirziyoyev emphasizes that the elevation of these new ‘Central Asia Plus’ dialogues to the level of heads of state demonstrates their increasing practical significance and political value. In several formats, working groups and secretariats have been established to develop concrete projects in areas such as energy, transport, the green economy, and digitalization.

For reference, the following summits took place this year: the first Central Asia – European Union summit in Samarkand on April 4, the Central Asia – Italy summit in Astana on May 30, the second Central Asia – China summit in Astana on June 17, the second Central Asia – Russia summit in Dushanbe on October 9, and the second Central Asia – US summit in Washington on November 6.