The Second Ministerial Conference “Italy – Central Asia” was held in Tashkent under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by the heads of foreign ministries, heads and representatives of economic and financial structures, health institutions of Central Asia, Italy and the European Union.

The delegations discussed the current state and prospects of interaction between the countries of Central Asia and Italy, noted the importance of joint response to modern challenges and threats. The ways of solving environmental problems in the region, preventing transnational threats of extremism and terrorism, as well as strengthening interethnic harmony, friendly and fraternal ties of peoples were analyzed.

At the sessions, mechanisms for improving regional economic partnership, increasing the efficiency of interaction in trade and investment, transport and transit were considered. The main attention was paid to the implementation of joint projects in the energy sector, agribusiness and industrial equipment. Priority areas of joint efforts in healthcare were identified.

A roundtable discussion was also organized on “Current state and prospects for the development of scientific cooperation between Central Asia and Italy”, which was attended by leading Central Asian and Italian experts. The participants studied conceptual models of regional governance, sustainable and inclusive development, issues of protection and promotion of cultural heritage, strengthening scientific and academic contacts.

The next ministerial conference is planned to be held in 2022 in Rome.

As previously reported, the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Kyrgyzstan – Ruslan Kazakbayev, Tajikistan – Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Italy – Luigi Di Maio, Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Terhi Hakala attended the meeting. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov took part in the event via videoconference.

The conference was held under the co-chairmanship of the Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and Italy – Luigi Di Maio.

UzA