Russia Advocates Stability in Central Asia, Rejects Destabilization at Borders

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Russia supports the peaceful and evolutionary development of Central Asian countries and does not seek to destabilize the region, stated Alexey Erkhov, Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, at the forum “Central Asia — Russia: Strategic Partnership in a Changing World”.

“Russia is solely interested in the evolutionary development of the states in the region. We do not need destabilization at the borders caused by any pseudo-revolutionary chaos, especially external. We sincerely want that no one dictates to you — our friends and neighbors — how, where, and with whom to proceed,” Erkhov emphasized, according to the press service of the Russian Embassy in Uzbekistan.

The forum brought together representatives from Tashkent’s diplomatic corps, analytical centers, research institutions, government agencies, business circles, and universities from Russia and Central Asia. Experts discussed key areas of cooperation, including energy partnerships, international transport corridors, joint security measures, migration policy improvements, and digitalization and innovation as new drivers of economic growth.

During the event, an agreement on cooperation was signed between the International Central Asia Institute and the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Support Foundation. The embassy noted that the forum served as an important platform for open expert dialogue, exchange of views, and development of practical recommendations to strengthen Russia’s strategic partnership with Central Asia ahead of the upcoming summit of heads of state in the Central Asia — Russia format, scheduled to take place in Dushanbe.