On May 24 this year, the Expert Conference on “Central Asia – the European Union: A New Agenda For Security Cooperation” will be held at the International Institute for Central Asia in Tashkent.

The event is being held on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and in accordance with the agreements reached by the Heads of State of Central Asia and the President of the European Council at the Second Meeting of Leaders of the Central Asia – European Union, held on June 2, 2023, in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

The International Institute for Central Asia and the European Union Delegation in Uzbekistan are the co-organizers of this event.

The European Union will be represented by EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Bartjan Wegter, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan Charlotte Adriaen, program coordinators, and project managers from EU-funded projects, and other experts from EU structures, who work within the framework of EU-Central Asia security cooperation.

Experts from analytical structures, as well as representatives of the ministries and agencies involved, will represent the Uzbek side and Central Asian countries. 

The conference will delve into a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the current interaction between the EU and Central Asia. It will particularly focus on the effectiveness and impact of security cooperation programs such as LEICA (Law Enforcement in Central Asia), BOMCA (Border Management Programme in Central Asia), and CADAP (Central Asia Drug Action Programme), among others.

Opportunities for building further partnerships to combat threats such as terrorism, extremism and radicalism, cybercrime, cross-border organized crime, and human trafficking will also be explored. 

G.Khonnazarov, UzA