The Central Asian states were represented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Elyor Ganiev, Deputy chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Mahmudjon Sobirov and Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Konstantin Jigalov.

The European Union was represented by Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi, the EU Commissioner on development Andris Piebalgs and EU Special Representative for Central Asia Pierre Morel.

The sides considered current state and perspectives of development of relations between the EU and Central Asia within implementation of the new EU strategy for Central Asia, as well as trade-economic cooperation and regional interaction in energy, environment, use of water resources, border security and combating drug trafficking.

The sides exchanged opinion on situation in Afghanistan and other actual issues of regional security, which represent mutual interest.

Ministerial meeting in Tashkent became next important step in intensification and strengthening dialogue between the EU and Central Asian states. During the meeting, the sides reached mutual understanding on complex of discussed issues and affirmed importance of conducting joint efforts in further developing cooperation in EU-Central Asia format in all areas of mutual interest.

The EU delegation shared with the view regarding current state of implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia and informed on main clauses of joint report of the EU Council and underlined growing importance of the Central Asian region for the European Union.

During the discussion, the EU official underlined important attention to development of interaction with the Central Asian states in combating common threats and challenges to security such as drug trafficking, extremism, as well as rehabilitation of Afghanistan. The delegation expressed readiness of support of the countries in the region in solving these issues through strengthening of cooperation.

The participants of interregional meeting also underlined importance of construction cooperation in such issues as democratization, human rights and rule of law. The sides underlined that development of strong civil society is part of democracy development.

During discussion of environment and energy issues, the sides underlined importance of cooperation in Central Asia through rational, effective and sustainable use of water, hydro energy, fuel resources, as well as environment protection. The sides confirmed their readiness to assist in use of advanced experience in providing clean water and improving sanitary conditions and fighting climate change through raising efficiency of energy and water use, as well as preserving ecological balance in the region.

The sides confirmed common interest in expanding trade-economic and investment cooperation. The EU delegation expressed wish to assist the countries of the region to carry out social-economic reforms and integration to global economy.

During its visit in Tashkent, the EU delegation held bilateral negotiations with the officials of the Central Asian states to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation.

The EU delegation expressed gratitude to the Uzbek side for warm reception and organization of the meeting in Tashkent.