Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- One of the items on the agenda of the Ministerial meeting "European Union - Central Asia" in Samarkand was "Education, science and innovation". Speaking on this topic, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov emphasized that today the importance of deepening humanitarian and educational ties between our peoples in order to promote the human and, in particular, the harmonious development of young people is growing.

The participants of the meeting were acquainted with the results of the systemic measures being implemented in New Uzbekistan to provide comprehensive support to young people and children, their physical and spiritual education, and the creation of favorable conditions for them to receive a quality education.

The positive dynamics of cooperation in the field of education was noted with satisfaction. Today, 18 projects are being implemented with the participation of 43 Uzbek universities and 58 universities of the EU and Central Asia.

The interest of the Uzbek side was expressed in enhancing cooperation with the EU through the Erasmus + and Horizon Europe programs, including through the introduction of advanced European education methods, joint research, building the capacity for transfer of innovations, stimulating digitalization, developing cloud technologies and artificial intelligence.

At the same time, it was noted that there are opportunities to consider the issue of the accession of the countries of Central Asia to the Bologna process as a regional participant in order to harmonize higher education systems. In order to analyze and disseminate best practices of cooperation, it was proposed to create a networking tool between universities in Central Asia and the EU. An initiative was announced to organize a meeting of ministers of higher education and the Forum of Rectors in the EU-CA format on a regular basis.