Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — At the first summit between the European Union and Central Asia held in Samarkand, European Council President António Costa emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the regions and discussed key issues that will shape the future of their strategic partnership.

In his speech, he expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for its hospitality and highlighted the significance of the ancient city of Samarkand as a symbol of centuries-long cultural interaction.

Costa emphasized that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and the five Central Asian countries, a time to acknowledge the depth of the ties that have been built over these years. He noted that Central Asia and Europe are united not only through trade but also through scientific cooperation and cultural exchanges, which have a long history.

A particular focus of the European President’s speech was global challenges such as climate change and water resource management. He pointed out that these areas require joint efforts to ensure stability and security both in Central Asia and in Europe.

In this context, Costa highlighted the importance of holding the Samarkand Climate Forum, which has become an important step towards strengthening regional cooperation on these critical issues.

Costa also noted that the European Union is one of the main investors in the region and the second-largest trading partner. However, according to him, the relationship has yet to reach its full potential, and the Samarkand summit has served as a starting point for further developing a partnership that must be dynamic and practical, focused on solving real problems with tangible results.

An important topic in Costa’s speech was security. He noted that security threats have now become transnational in nature and affect all regions. The EU President emphasized that efforts at all levels — bilateral, regional, and multilateral — are necessary to address these threats. He expressed support for strengthening dialogue on counterterrorism and violent extremism, as well as noting the significance of the recent border agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which became an important step for the entire region.

Discussing the situation in Afghanistan, Costa pointed to the risks associated with terrorism, drug trafficking, and violent extremism, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between Central Asia and the EU to ensure stability in this region.

In light of the current global security threats, the EU president also stated that Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine represents one of the most serious threats of modern times, affecting not only Ukraine and Europe but also the foundations of the international order. He stressed that the European Union fully supports efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and is ready to contribute to this process.

Finally, Costa expressed optimism regarding the future of the partnership between the EU and Central Asia, emphasizing that the summit was an important step in strengthening trust and cooperation between the regions. According to him, the relationship between the EU and Central Asia has never been stronger, and now is the time to move forward with ambitions to continue writing new chapters in the history of this strategic partnership.