The second meeting of the heads of Central Asian States and the President of the European Council was held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, attended by President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr, Head of the European Council Charles Michel, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nurmuhammet Amannepesov.

During the open and constructive meeting, the participants reviewed the multilateral and mutually beneficial cooperation between the European Union and the Central Asian states after last year's inaugural meeting in Astana, and also discussed relations between the European Union and Central Asia in the context of international events.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the continuation of the high–level dialogue between Central Asia and the European Union and the development of the EU-CA partnership in accordance with the priorities identified between the parties with the common goal of prosperity and security of Central Asia, according to a joint press communique adopted following the meeting.

The participants of the meeting expressed their intention to adopt the EU–CA Roadmap at the next ministerial meeting, and also reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to compliance with the UN Charter, in particular the principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity of all countries, non-use of force or threat of its use and peaceful settlement of international disputes.

General concern was expressed about the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan and the desire to contribute to the transformation of Afghanistan into a safe, peaceful, stable, prosperous country was emphasized, and the international community was called upon to intensify humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. In this regard, the importance of the dialogue between the European Union and Central Asia on Afghanistan was noted, including the results of the fourth meeting of Special Representatives and Special Envoys of the EU and Central Asia on Afghanistan, held on May 25-26 in Ashgabat.

Among other topics of the meeting were the obligations of the parties under the Paris Agreement, water and energy cooperation, conservation of the environment and biodiversity in Central Asia, Aral issues, etc.

The parties also agreed to meet on a regular basis, intending to hold their next meeting in the format of the first summit next year. The Uzbek side offered to hold a meeting in Uzbekistan.

ORIENT news