This photo taken on April 4, 2025 shows a scene during the first Central Asia-EU summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The first Central Asia-EU summit, chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was held in the Uzbek city on Friday, according to the presidential press service. (Press Service of the Uzbek President/Handout via Xinhua)
ALMATY, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen during a side meeting of the Central Asia-EU summit on Thursday, the Kazakh presidential press service reported.
The talks focused on Kazakhstan-EU cooperation prospects in the economy, digitalization and innovation, while also welcoming the start of procedures for visa facilitation agreements.
Tokayev emphasized that the European Union-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement remains the foundation for multifaceted cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.
The Head of State outlined four priority areas for deepening cooperation with Europe: energy, major infrastructure and industrial projects, the expansion of the transport and logistics network, digital innovations, advanced technologies and AI.
In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the importance of transport and logistics projects, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, and also commended the discovery of a large rare earth metals deposit in Kazakhstan.
The two leaders agreed to continue work within the Central Asia (C5)+EU dialogue and discussed ongoing issues related to the regional and international agenda. ■
This photo taken on April 4, 2025 shows a scene during the first Central Asia-EU summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The first Central Asia-EU summit, chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was held in the Uzbek city on Friday, according to the presidential press service. (Press Service of the Uzbek President/Handout via Xinhua)
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (1st L), Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (2nd L), European Council President Antonio Costa (3rd L), Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (C), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (3rd R), Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov (2nd R), and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov (1st R) attend the first Central Asia-EU summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 4, 2025. The first Central Asia-EU summit, chaired by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was held in the Uzbek city on Friday, according to the presidential press service. (Press Service of the Uzbek President/Handout via Xinhua)
