Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles will pay a visit to Tashkent on 15-17th July to attend the Conference on Central Asia and South East Asia Connectivity. This was announced during the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 July, 2021. 

With his visit, Josep Borrell Fontelles intends to foster the implementation of the EU Central Asian Strategy adopted in 2019 and of the 2018 EU Connectivity Strategy. On 12 July, the Council approved conclusions on “A Globally Connected Europe”, which highlight the need for the EU to pursue a geostrategic and global approach to connectivity. The aim is to advance its economic, foreign and development policy and security interests and to promote European values. 

During the Conference in Tashkent, the High Representative and Vice President will also touch upon the situation in Afghanistan, as part of the EU effort to find a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict. 

As a sign of the Conference on Central Asia and South East Asia Connectivity’s importance, H. E. Josep Borrell Fontelles will be accompanied during his visit by: 

- The newly appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Terhi Hakala;

- The EU Special Envoy for Connectivity, Romana Vlahutin;

- The EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Tomas Niklasson.

During the visit of the High Representative and Vice President to Uzbekistan, meetings with the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Central Asian countries are also on the agenda. This is the first visit of Josep Borrell Fontelles to Uzbekistan and Central Asia.