The International Institute for Central Asia in Tashkent hosted the inaugural Central Asia - European Union Think Tank Forum today, titled "The Tashkent Platform: Building Bridges between Central Asia and Europe."
The event brought together prominent experts, policymakers, business leaders, and members of the academic community, The Caspian Post reports citing UzA.
The forum is significant as it precedes the historic EU - Central Asia Summit, scheduled for April 3-4 in Samarkand. This timing adds weight to the discussions and enhances their relevance.
The opening ceremony featured a keynote speech by Abdulaziz Kamilov, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Foreign Policy. He emphasized that Central Asia is transforming and emerging as an active participant in global processes. This, he noted, underscores the importance of a strategic partnership with the EU, built on shared values and common interests in sustainable development.
The event aims to achieve several key objectives: promoting expert dialogue on the current state and prospects of EU - Central Asia relations, including within the “CA+” format; informing the European expert community about regional initiatives and approaches to international agendas; developing practical proposals to shape the agenda of the April EU - Central Asia Summit in Samarkand; institutionalizing and strengthening long-term cooperation with leading EU think tanks specializing in Central Asia; discussing partnership prospects in areas such as regional connectivity, trade and critical minerals, renewable energy, digital transformation, sustainable business, civil society, and investment in human capital.
Director of the International Institute for Central Asia, Javlon Vakhabov, emphasized that the forum is taking place at a crucial moment in developing relations between the European Union and Central Asia. He noted that the dialogue has gained new momentum in recent years through expert meetings, international conferences, and the expansion of contacts with leading European research centers. Concluding his speech, the IICA Director called on forum participants for open and productive discussions aimed at developing practical recommendations for the upcoming summit.
In his speech, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, stated that cooperation between the EU and Central Asia is developing dynamically in water resources, security, and strategically critical raw materials. He emphasized that the increasing number of high-level meetings reflects the strategic significance of bilateral relations and the strengthening of regional dialogue. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of discussing key areas of cooperation based on the EU Strategy for Central Asia (2019) and the Joint Roadmap (2023), expressing hope for further in-person meetings with forum participants.
As part of the forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation and Partnership was signed with the European Neighbourhood Council (Brussels, Belgium), represented by its Managing Director, Samuel Vesterbye.
Photo: uza.uz
