Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 18 October, an expert forum "Central Asia - Russia: an agenda for joint development" opened in Astana. The event was organized by the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies (KISS) together with the National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations named after E.M. Primakov of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The forum is attended by heads and experts of leading analytical centers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Russia. As guests of honor - the heads of diplomatic missions of all Central Asian countries and Russia accredited in Kazakhstan, Dunyo news agency reports with reference to the International Institute of Central Asia (ICA).

From the Uzbek side, the forum is attended by the director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President Anvar Nasirov, the first deputy director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President (ISMI) Akramjon Nematov, the head of the MICA department Sherzod Fayziev, the head of the ISMI department Marat Aitov and other experts.

Within the framework of the forum, the participants discuss topical issues of developing equal and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of Central Asia and Russia.

On 14 October, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the Central Asia-Russia summit held in Astana. The meeting was also attended by the presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The heads of state exchanged views on topical issues of interaction in the "Central Asia - Russia" format, as well as on the regional and international agenda.

In order to strengthen regional cooperation, the head of Uzbekistan put forward initiatives designed to bring partnership to a higher level in trade, economic, transport and communication, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as in the field of environmental protection.