TASHKENT, November 18. /“Dunyo” IA/. Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov took part in the 16th European Union – Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, via videoconference, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.
The Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discussed further strengthening of interregional cooperation in various spheres.
At the meeting, Uzbekistan’s FM focused on the need for taking coordinated actions to mitigate the consequences of coronavirus pandemic and strengthen the sustainability of socio-economic development of Central Asian countries.
The implementation of initiatives envisaged in the EU Strategy for Central Asia adopted in June 2019, as well as mechanisms for enhancing joint work in this direction was considered.
The urgency of enhancing the priorities of interaction within the framework of new EU budget for 2021-2027, which should cover such aspects of life of the region's countries as rural development, improving the quality of education, effective public administration and medicine, was emphasized.
Special attention was paid to enhancing regional cooperation in trade-economic sphere by improving mutual access to markets for goods and services, as well as cooperation in digitalization of the economy.
It was emphasized that the establishment of lasting peace in Afghanistan is a guarantee of stability and prosperity for the entire region. Its involvement in the regional economic process through implementation of major investment and infrastructure projects will provide necessary conditions for an early settlement of the Afghan problem.
Uzbekistan’s FM also elaborated on prospects for development of multilateral relations in cultural-humanitarian sphere, as well as in tourism, science, education and innovation.
A Joint Communiqué was adopted following the meeting.
