Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 27 March, Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) hosted the 20th EU–Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, as well as deputy foreign ministers from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation under the EU–Central Asia Roadmap, adopted in October 2023. Key topics included major EU initiatives such as Global Gateway, aimed at enhancing trade, transport, water resources, energy, climate policies, digitalization, and critical raw materials.

Participants also discussed expanding educational and research programs, professional training, and experience exchange, along with global security issues, including the fight against organized crime, extremism, and radicalization. The situation in Afghanistan and adherence to UN Charter principles were also addressed. Additionally, special attention was given to supporting territorial integrity and preventing sanctions circumvention concerning Ukraine.

A key agenda item was the preparation for the first-ever EU–Central Asia Summit, scheduled for 4 April 2025, in Samarkand. The summit is expected to mark a significant step in strengthening strategic ties between the two regions.

EU–Central Asia cooperation continues to evolve based on the 2019 EU Strategy for Central Asia, as well as the Global Gateway and EU Green Deal initiatives, which focus on environmental and digital transformation, trade promotion, and investment attraction.