Uzbekistan Hosts EU Delegation at Central Asia–EU Forum

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During the first interparliamentary forum “Central Asia – European Union,” a meeting was held with a delegation from the European Parliament.

First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Sodik Safoev, met with Juzi Princi, Head of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia, and Eduards Stiprais, the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia.

The European side expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan’s high level of organization, emphasizing the forum’s significance as the first institutional platform for dialogue between Central Asian parliaments and the EU.

Both sides noted the importance of diversifying external relations amid evolving geopolitical challenges and underscored the need to strengthen cooperation with regional states. Uzbekistan was recognized as a reliable strategic partner for the European Union in Central Asia.

The EU confirmed its readiness to expand collaboration in political, trade-economic, tourism, cultural, and educational spheres. European Parliament members Thomas Zdechovsky and Terry Mariani highlighted the strategic importance of the first Central Asia–EU summit and President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels.

Practical initiatives discussed included enhancing educational, cultural, and youth exchange programs, as well as expanding visa opportunities for citizens of Central Asian countries. Emphasis was placed on maintaining an open and inclusive forum, broadening the partnership network, and achieving concrete results by clearly identifying priority areas.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides expressed their readiness to hold interparliamentary forums regularly in Brussels and the capitals of Central Asian states.