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.
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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.
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