Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the expert meeting "Central Asia 2030: Visions of the Future", Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISMI) Eldor Aripov shared his vision on the future of Central Asia.

“The question of what kind of Central Asia we want to see in 2030 is extremely important. Without coordinating our approaches on this issue, we will not be able to move forward,” the ISMI director said at the event.

According to him, "the ideal model of Central Asia is a consolidated and cohesive region, free from internal disputes and contradictions, united by common interests and priorities, based on values and traditions shared by all."

“The main thing we should be focused on is overcoming the existing fundamental disagreements that are still holding back regional cooperation processes, including the settlement of border issues. Borders should unite us, not divide us,” the speaker noted.

In this context, the ISMI representative emphasized that the President of Uzbekistan has repeatedly noted that "our borders can and should become bridges of friendship and good neighborliness."

“Therefore, despite all the differences, it is important to reach a mutually acceptable compromise. It is important not only for specific two countries bordering each other. It is important for the region as a whole,” said Eldor Aripov.

“The second element of the ideal model can and should be Central Asia, which has at its disposal all the necessary platforms and mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation,” said the director of the ISMI.

According to the representative of the ISMI, regional cooperation will not work in full measure if the mechanisms of interaction in specific areas of interest to everyone - from the economy and trade to education and culture, do not work.

As Eldor Aripov noted, the third element of the ideal model of Central Asia in 2030, and which in fact should become the basic, supporting structure, is regional identity.

It was noted that at the IV Consultative meeting of the heads of state of the region in the city of Cholpon-Ata, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed “to strengthen joint work on the implementation of cooperation programs in the field of culture, education, sports and tourism, as well as in-depth study of common history.

“Our goal should be to build a model of sustainable and multi-level ties, based not only on common interests, but also common values and traditions shared by all,” he said.

“Each of us should feel like not only a representative of his country, but of the region as a whole, be proud of our common cultural and historical heritage,” concluded Eldor Aripov.

On 20 January 2023, the Expert Meeting "Central Asia-2030: Images of the Future" is being held in Astana. It is attended by heads of institutes for strategic studies under the President of the Central Asian countries, as well as experts on topical issues and issues of regional cooperation, representatives of state bodies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.;