US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a delegation of more than 100 representatives of American companies to Samarkand in mid-October. This was announced on September 24 by Sergio Gor, the US President's Special Representative for South and Central Asia. According to Gor, the visit aims to develop strategic partnership between the US and Central Asian countries, as well as to strengthen diplomatic and trade-economic cooperation.

During the visit, Marco Rubio will participate in a meeting of foreign ministers in the “C5+1” format alongside the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. “The main focus will be on deepening regional economic ties, strengthening energy security, and developing joint solutions on pressing regional issues within the „C5+1“ format,” Gor emphasized.

The US Secretary of State will also hold meetings with the leadership of Uzbekistan and counterparts from regional countries to discuss expanding trade in Central Asia, stimulating private investment, and supporting economic modernization. It is expected that the American business delegation will establish contacts with local entrepreneurs and discuss joint projects.

According to experts, this visit is aimed at strengthening US influence in Central Asia and could create economic opportunities for the region's countries. However, some analysts note that US interest in the region has been unstable in recent years, and it is necessary to monitor how promises will be fulfilled in practice.

Source: www.gazeta.uz