Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 24 May, the Expert conference on the topic "Central Asia – the European Union: a new agenda for security cooperation" will be held at the International Institute for Central Asia, Tashkent. 

The event is being held by the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as in accordance with the agreements reached by the Heads of State of Central Asia and the President of the European Council at the Second Meeting of Leaders of the Central Asia – European Union, held on June 2, 2023 in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan).

Co-organizers of the Expert conference are the International Institute for Central Asia (MICA) and the European Union Delegation in Uzbekistan.

The European Union will be represented by EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adriaen, and programme coordinators and project managers from EU-funded projects, and other experts from EU structures, who work within framework of EU-Central Asia security cooperation.

Uzbek side and Central Asian countries will be represented by experts from analytical structures, as well as representatives of the ministries and departments involved. 

The conference will provide an analysis and assessment of the current interaction between the EU and Central Asia within the framework of such security cooperation programs as LEICA (Law Enforcement in Central Asia), BOMCA (Border Management Programme in Central Asia), and CADAP (Central Asia Drug Action Programme), etc.

Opportunities for building further partnerships to combat threats such as terrorism, extremism and radicalism, cybercrime, cross-border organized crime and human trafficking will also be explored.