The eighth High-Level Political and Security Dialogue between the European Union (EU) and the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) took place in Tashkent on July 1, with the participation of Afghanistan as special guest, according to the EU Delegation to Tajikistan.

The meeting reportedly provided an opportunity to discuss regional dynamics and advance region-to-region cooperation on a broad spectrum of issues, including border management, security and the promotion of sustainable connectivity.

The EU welcomed the upcoming conference on Central Asia-South Asia connectivity to be held in Tashkent from July 15-16, which would provide space for reiterating international support to initiatives aimed at linking up Central Asian states, Afghanistan and their neighbors more closely as a key factor for peace, resilience and prosperity.

Participants expressed their shared concern about resurging violence in Afghanistan and stressed their common determination to continue to work together to promote a genuine and inclusive peace process in the country.

The EU confirmed that the key priorities of its strategy on Central Asia of 2019 would guide the programming of its aid for the budget cycle 2021-2027.

Participants agreed to work together to organize a first EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, EU-Central Asia Conference on Tourism and third EU-Central Asia Civil Society Forum by the end of this year.  The EU welcomed the proposal to organize a high-level conference on Connectivity in 2022.