25 October 2022. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, has concluded her visit to Uzbekistan (19-24 October 2022). The EUSR CA met with the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Minister for Development of Information Technologies and Communications Sherzod Shermatov, as well as First Deputy Minister of Energy Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, First Deputy Minister of Water Resources Azimjon Nazarov and Deputy Minister for Transport Jasurbek Choriyev and travelled to Karakalpakstan.

She visited the former Aral Sea bed in Muynak and exchanged with beneficiaries of several EU-funded projects under the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan, including a centre for vocational training, schools and an example of drip irrigation for local households. In Nukus, she furthermore held official meetings with the Chairperson of the Jokargy Kenes of Karakalpakstan Amanbay Orinbaev, as well as with Bakhitjan Khabibullaev and Daryabay Kaypov, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers for Investment and Foreign Trade and for agriculture/water issues respectively.

With her interlocutors, the EUSR CA discussed the EU cooperation with Central Asia and positively remarked upon Uzbekistan’s active role. She furthermore affirmed EU attention and support to Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms and discussed opportunities to advancing regional cooperation with the EU, including on civil society dialogue, human rights, connectivity, water management, energy and digitalisation. In Karakalpakstan, she enquired about developments in the region and underlined the importance of addressing the Aral Sea Disaster and its effects on the local communities.