Within the framework of the first inter-parliamentary forum “Central Asia – European Union”, a meeting was held with the delegation of the European Parliament.

First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy Sodyq Safoev held talks with the Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia Giusi Princi and the Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais.

During the meeting, D. Princi thanked Uzbekistan for promoting and organizing this forum at a high level, noting that this platform is important as the first institutional form of dialogue between the parliaments of the countries of Central Asia and the European Union.

The need to diversify foreign relations in the context of modern geopolitical changes was emphasized and the importance of strengthening cooperation with the countries of Central Asia was noted. Uzbekistan is also recognized as a reliable strategic partner of the European Union in the region.

The readiness of the European Union to expand cooperation in the political dialogue, as well as in the trade, economic, tourism, cultural and educational spheres was expressed.

Members of the European Parliament Thomas Zdekhovsky and Terry Mariani also highly appreciated the results of the first Central Asia-European Union summit and the results of the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Brussels, emphasizing their strategic importance.

 It was noted that practical measures are being taken to expand cooperation in the field of education, culture and youth exchanges, as well as to expand visa opportunities for citizens of the countries of the region.

At the same time, the importance of maintaining the open and inclusive nature of the forum format, expanding the range of partners and achieving practical results by clearly identifying priority areas was emphasized.

 At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed their readiness to regularly hold inter-parliamentary forums in Brussels and the capitals of the Central Asian countries.