Rome, 30 May 2024 (TDI): At the 3rd Central Asia + Italy Ministerial Meeting in Rome, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani joined his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The foreign affairs leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Italy deliberated on enhancing interregional cooperation through discussions on current topics.
The comprehensive agenda aimed to pinpoint novel areas and implement practical measures for cooperation between Italy and Central Asia. This included transportation, logistics, green energy, global connectivity, higher education, and combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
Antonio Tajani advocated for proactive collaboration in transport interconnectivity, energy, climate change, and education. He said, “Italy views with great interest the opportunities presented to Italian companies in Central Asia.
Establishing a strategic partnership with Central Asian countries and strengthening economic and industrial cooperation in the fields of water resources, the environment, and higher education is a priority.”
In his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu noted that today Central Asia is a dynamically developing region with its vision of geopolitical realities and broad trade and economic opportunities.
Additionally, the head of the foreign policy department of Kazakhstan emphasized, “Consultative meetings of the heads of state of Central Asia, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and the Nuclear Weapon Free Zone are a clear demonstration of Central Asia’s unequivocal desire to develop effective and mutually beneficial cooperation and confront common challenges.”
In his address, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev emphasized Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to enhancing political dialogue and fostering cooperation between nations.
Moreover, he delineated Kyrgyzstan’s regional cooperation priorities, focusing particularly on trade, transport and logistics infrastructure, and hydropower.
In addition to addressing regional security concerns, the Kyrgyz side expressed keen interest in fostering peace and prosperity in neighboring Afghanistan. They emphasized the imperative of resuming collective efforts to support the country’s development.
During the climate change discussion, Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev highlighted the adverse effects of global warming, specifically the rapid melting of mountain glaciers. He underscored that this phenomenon poses a significant threat to the environmental and food security of the entire Central Asian region.
In his Statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rasit Meredov highlighted the significant role of Turkmen neutrality as a potent tool for advancing peace and stability, placing particular emphasis on matters concerning regional security, environmental protection, transportation, water resource management, transitional energy, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges.
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Furthermore, During the forum, three thematic sessions took place: “Energy Transition and Global Challenges,” “Connectivity,” and “Higher Education and Knowledge Networks.”
The parties reached an agreement to engage systematically within the framework of the “Central Asia – Italy” format. They decided to develop a medium-term action plan in this regard.
