Tashkent (TDI): At the high-level meeting “Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Europe – Cooperation for Common Development” held in Tashkent, former Serbian President Boris Tadić underscored Uzbekistan’s strategic significance for the entire Central Asian region.
He noted that Central Asia today holds major geostrategic importance and stressed that “without Uzbekistan there can be no stability in the region, nor can it achieve its full potential for development.”
Tadić emphasized that Uzbekistan’s role extends beyond politics, covering digitalization, economic growth, technological progress, and education.
Recalling the importance of international platforms such as the Baku Forum, which fosters dialogue among global leaders and experts, he expressed readiness to serve as an “intellectual mediator” between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, as well as between Tashkent and multilateral institutions.
Read More: Uzbekistan Joins Key EU, Canada Critical Minerals Alliances
“We have two countries on both sides of the Caspian Sea that can be very close friends,” he remarked.
Highlighting Uzbekistan’s young and ambitious population, Tadić pointed out that demographic vitality and human capital remain central to long-term success. He also praised the country’s rich cultural heritage, including Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva, as well as the historic contributions of the Uzbek people.
Referring to the reforms initiated under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tadić said these transformations have greatly strengthened Uzbekistan’s role as a bridge between cultures and nations.
“We would like to be helpful and promote convergence of positions, particularly in areas where politics, energy, technology, and global peace intersect,” he added.
Read More: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan Seal $243m Power Transmission Deals
Forum discussions are set to address connectivity of transport and logistics routes linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe, along with issues of climate resilience, water resources, energy security, sustainable agriculture, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. These priorities align with Tadić’s assessment of Uzbekistan’s regional role and partnership potential.
Concluding his remarks, Tadić thanked the organizers for their hospitality and reaffirmed his commitment to contributing practically to the forum’s panel sessions.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
