Uzbekistan’s President: “We Have a Historic Chance to Make Central Asia Prosperous”

In an exclusive interview with Euronews, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev described the upcoming Central Asia–European Union summit as a “historic turning point” in relations between the two regions. Scheduled to take place in the ancient city of Samarkand on April 4–5, the summit will, for the first time, bring together the leaders of all five Central Asian countries and the European Union.

According to President Mirziyoyev, the summit comes at a time when the world is undergoing profound changes—geopolitical instability, climate disruption, and economic uncertainty—making new forms of international cooperation not only necessary but urgent.

“Central Asia and Europe are linked by deep historical roots and common aspirations,” said the Uzbek leader. “We now have a historic opportunity to transform these ties into a strategic partnership for sustainable and inclusive development.”

President Mirziyoyev highlighted the growing economic links between the regions, noting that trade between Central Asia and the EU has quadrupled in the last seven years, reaching €54 billion. Over 1,000 European companies now operate in Uzbekistan alone, with joint investment projects exceeding €30 billion.

He stressed that the summit will focus on key areas including economic integration, renewable energy, climate resilience, regional security, and connectivity infrastructure.

Samarkand, a historic Silk Road city, was chosen for its symbolism. For centuries, it has stood as a crossroads of cultures, ideas, and trade. “Samarkand has always united civilizations,” said the president. “Today, it is once again becoming a platform where Europe and Central Asia can meet to shape the future together.”

President Mirziyoyev underscored how the region has shifted from instability to trust and cooperation, pointing to breakthroughs such as the recent peaceful settlement of border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. “We have moved from tension to trust,” he said, referencing the success of regular Consultative Meetings among Central Asian heads of state—an initiative Uzbekistan introduced in 2017.

As current chair of the Central Asian Five, Uzbekistan will prioritize regional security, economic integration, and environmental sustainability. The president called for enhanced coordination with the EU in these areas, particularly in the fight against climate change, which he described as an existential threat.

“Central Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change,” Mirziyoyev noted. “We are experiencing glacier melt, water shortages, and desertification. Europe is also facing extreme climate stress. We must act together.”

To this end, Uzbekistan will present a Regional Green Development Concept at the summit. Proposed initiatives include a Central Asia–EU Green Partnership, focused on financing renewable energy projects, advancing digital climate monitoring, and restoring degraded ecosystems. The president also called for joint action on water conservation, proposing collaborative work on irrigation technologies and glacier monitoring.

Energy cooperation is another focal point. Uzbekistan is already implementing over 50 green energy projects, aiming to bring renewable energy’s share to 54% by 2030. The region, said Mirziyoyev, is ready to become a stable partner for Europe’s energy transition, and discussions are underway to establish a Green Strategic Corridor through the Caspian and Black Seas.

President Mirziyoyev also reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s inclusive approach to Afghanistan, calling for pragmatic, long-term engagement. He emphasized that stabilizing and integrating Afghanistan into regional infrastructure is vital for peace and prosperity across Central and South Asia. He welcomed European cooperation in education, reconstruction, and development initiatives in the country.

In terms of broader security cooperation, the president stressed the importance of addressing common challenges, including terrorism, cyber threats, and organized crime. Uzbekistan supports expanding EU–Central Asia cooperation to include new digital and security initiatives.

The summit will culminate in the signing of the Samarkand Declaration, which is expected to formalize the shared commitment to long-term strategic partnership between Central Asia and the European Union. “We hope it will lay the foundation for deepening our political dialogue, trade ties, infrastructure development, and innovation partnerships,” said Mirziyoyev.

In closing, he addressed a direct message to European citizens and leaders:

“Central Asia is open for dialogue and partnership. We invite Europe to work with us—not just as neighbors across continents, but as co-creators of a more stable, green, and prosperous future. The Samarkand Summit is just the beginning.”