UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will meet with the foreign ministers of all Central Asian countries on February 26 in London. This marks the first joint meeting in the S5+1 format since the region's countries gained independence in 1991. The ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have already arrived in London.

According to the press service of the UK Embassy in Uzbekistan, the meeting is an opportunity to strengthen partnership with this strategically important region, including enhancing economic ties through agreements on critical minerals, higher education, and green growth, diversifying supply chains, and boosting regional stability.

Uzbekistan and the UK anticipate elevating cooperation to a new level, particularly in education, and strengthening links within a comprehensive regional agreements package. These initiatives aim to diversify supply chains, expand English language and academic collaboration, and support green transition projects, which will create new opportunities for Uzbek students, researchers, and business representatives.

The message states: "UK involvement in these processes demonstrates our firm support for the independence, economic security, and long-term prosperity of Uzbekistan and the entire region."

In early February, the UK Trade Commissioner for Azerbaijan and Central Asia, Lord Olderdaes, visited Uzbekistan on a multi-day trip, meeting with the president, government representatives, and partners, and touring Samarkand, Navoi, and Almalyk. He spoke at the UK-Uzbekistan Infrastructure Conference, outlining the UK's offer for cooperation on high-quality, sustainable infrastructure, including financing through UK Export Finance (UKEF).

The next meeting of the UK-Uzbekistan Joint Economic Committee is planned for late spring.

Source: www.gazeta.uz