EU and Central Asia launch strategic partnership at Samarkand summit

euronews (in English)

In this episode of Focus, we report from Samarkand, where the EU and Central Asian leaders held a historic first summit, launching a strategic partnership to deepen cooperation across key sectors.

Transcript

00:00We are pleased to host the first ever Central Asia European Union Summit in history,

00:04held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,

00:08His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoev,

00:11with the participation of the leaders of the European Union and our region.

00:15Hosting such a large and important international event makes us very proud.

00:30The first Central Asia EU Summit took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan,

00:46with an outlook to boost ties between the regions,

00:49whilst stressing the importance of multilateral cooperation.

00:53Today, in many regions, we see a lot of difficulties,

00:58a lot of instability,

01:01but Central Asia today serves as a good example,

01:04as a good practice of regional cooperation,

01:06of mutual understanding,

01:09and creation of stability and prosperity in our region.

01:12And today, Central Asia plays as a crucial region,

01:15which serves as a unified part of the world,

01:19to be able to bring some more prosperity to the people that live here in our region,

01:26as well as to the European Union,

01:28because we are your neighbor's neighbor.

01:30People-to-people ties is also very important.

01:32Climate change is also another big issue which needs to be addressed collectively.

01:37And all these projects which are to be implemented within this strategy,

01:41aimed at, as I told you,

01:43the sustainable and prosperous development of Central Asia,

01:46are crucial both for Central Asia and, of course, for the European Union itself.

01:50European Council President Antonio Costa

01:53and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

01:56led the EU delegation at the summit,

01:59announcing a new €12 billion package for the region

02:02through its Global Gateway Initiative.

02:05The package will finance projects in transport,

02:08raw material extraction, water, energy and climate,

02:12as well as digital connectivity.

02:14This is the beginning of a new chapter in our long-standing friendship.

02:21Central Asia is a partner of choice for us.

02:25So today we have launched the new strategic partnership.

02:30It means that we can rely on each other,

02:33and relying on each other in today's world,

02:36this matters more than ever.

02:38The political will to deepen our cooperation like never before is there.

02:45And it has never been clearer.

02:48The EU is a reliable partner for Central Asia,

02:52and this summit is not a destination,

02:58but is a journey that we are advancing through concrete action.

03:03Financial institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

03:08and the European Investment Bank are playing a crucial role

03:12in fostering the economic investment between the two regions,

03:16with the latter announcing its opening a branch in Central Asia based in Tashkent.

03:21The summit was historic in bringing together leaders of the EU

03:24and the five countries of Central Asia,

03:27Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,

03:30Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan marking a regional unity.

03:34This is a mutual cooperation, first of all.

03:37These meetings are needed to confirm

03:41the mutual respect and trust each other to each other.

03:47This is a very good signal.

03:48Now there will be a big climate forum.

03:50This is a big signal to all businessmen.

03:53In this part of the world,

03:55we can go and invest our financial resources.

03:58The fact that the leaders of our region and the European Union

04:01are gathering in Samarkand today

04:03to comprehensively discuss issues of trade and economic cooperation

04:07suggests that Samarkand is restoring its position

04:10as a political and trade center.

04:13The fact that cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union

04:16is strengthening and the common aspiration to further expand,

04:20it has been formed.

04:22Ultimately, the most important outcome of the summit

04:24is expected to be the adoption of the Samarkand declaration,

04:28which will give a strong impetus

04:29to the expansion of constructive dialogue

04:31between Central Asia and the European Union,

04:34intensifying cooperation in all areas

04:37and elevate relations to the level of strategic partnership.

04:41At a time of global geopolitical instability,

04:44economic risks, and climate challenges,

04:46the need for new forms of international cooperation

04:49are more important than ever.

04:51This summit has shown how international diplomacy

04:53and collaboration can secure a more unified future.

04:57Thank you for the attention.

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