Uzbekistan Conference Attracts Global Interest in Central Asia

WASHINGTON - Dreams of connecting landlocked Central Asia more closely to South Asia and the international trading system are coming into focus after a two-day conference last week in Tashkent, hosted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. #Connectivity, stability and security go hand in hand - they are pre-requisites for each other.The EU strongly supports the new spirit of cooperation in Central Asia, which contributes to shaping its own connectivity agenda. pic.twitter.com/78q3H9trpz

Nearly 50 countries and more than 30 international organizations attended, including China, Russia, the United States, and the European Union. The gathering was perhaps the largest yet to promote economic integration. Still, experts caution that high-level engagements must translate into tangible investments in order to deliver economic benefits. Mirziyoyev said that strengthening ties with neighbors is a top priority for Uzbekistan, “a reliable, stable, and predictable partner, interested in and committed to constructive cooperation based on mutual interests.”