Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon will participate in the second European Union (EU)-Central Asian Summit that will be held in Kyrgyzstan’s resort town of Cholpon-Ata on June 2, a source within the Tajik president’s press service told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon.  

According to him, leaders of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as well as Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers will participate in the summit.

The European Union will be represented by European Council (EC) President, Mr. Charles Michel.  

Emomali Rahmon is planned to hold the bilateral meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov on  the margins of the summit, the source added. 

Meanwhile, Kyrgyz president’s press service says the summit participants will discuss the state and prospects of further expansion of political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the regions. 

They will also exchange views on a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest.  

The first European Union (EU)-Central Asian Summit took place in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, on October 27 was held on October 27 last year.   

Participants in the meeting included EC President Charles Michel and President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The participants evaluated outcomes and reaffirmed a mutual desire to continue strengthening ties with one another.

Mr. Charles Michel reportedly expressed a desire for closer future cooperation with Central Asian countries.

The Central Asian leaders made clear their desire to strengthen institutionalized cooperation between the European Union and the Central Asian states and to establish greater “sustainable connectivity.”  The EU Global Gateway strategy and the national transport and transit development initiatives of Central Asian countries coincide with this goal.

Central Asian heads of state commended the EU for its continued economic cooperation during the recovery period from the pandemic.  They stressed that continuing to build financial relationships and regional investments can further promote their relationships through “connectivity and trade.”

A significant topic of discussion was the recognition that efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Afghan people need to be expanded due to the impact of developments in Afghanistan on the region.