The European Union-Central Asia Economic Forum will be held this year in Almaty, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a joint statement.

In a statement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the EU, the parties confirmed the desire "to create a solid and promising basis for cooperation between the EU and Central Asia, as well as to strengthen the regional dialogue in Central Asia, which is the key to prosperity, stability and sustainable development".

"As a next step, we look forward to hosting the EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2023," the statement said.

It is emphasized that over the past three decades, the parties have managed to build a strong partnership based on mutual respect and trust.

"In the current geopolitical context, we reaffirm our strong commitment to the UN Charter, international law and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. We emphasize the importance of maintaining peace and stability, as well as resolving disputes through diplomacy," the diplomats said.

Tleuberdi and Borrell also stressed that they "look with confidence into the future of ever closer and more multifaceted cooperation" between Kazakhstan and the EU. "We are determined to promote it for the benefit of the people of the European Union and Kazakhstan, as well as for greater regional stability and prosperity," they concluded.

The first face-to-face EU-Central Asia Economic Forum was held in Bishkek in 2021, opening a series of events that will take place in the countries of Central Asia in the coming years as part of the EU Strategy for Central Asia adopted in 2019.

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