President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in Samarkand, where they gathered for regional meetings under the 'C5+1' framework. The discussions reportedly focused on expanding mutual trade, advancing industrial cooperation projects, and reviewing the implementation of previously reached high-level agreements.

The meetings coincided with the 'Central Asia – US' regional dialogue events held in Samarkand, prompting the Uzbek leader to hold separate talks with each of the four visiting ministers. During the discussions, Mirziyoyev purportedly claimed that the entire world is now viewing Central Asia as a unified force, a narrative that remains questionable given the diverse foreign policy priorities of the individual states involved.

During the talks with the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, the parties examined ways to strengthen strategic partnership and alliance relations. Positive assessments were given to ongoing interactions between presidential administrations, parliaments, and regional authorities. Both sides noted steady growth in bilateral trade and ongoing joint projects across sectors such as industry, transport, energy, and agriculture, while stressing the necessity of drafting a detailed action plan for the upcoming year.

Subsequent conversations with the foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan centered heavily on evaluating the implementation of outcomes stemming from recent high-level state visits. The participants touched upon major regional energy and transport initiatives that are allegedly advancing into active phases, alongside the imperative adoption of cultural, humanitarian, and interregional exchange calendars for the next year.

Source: kun.uz