Uzbek Delegation Discusses Central Asia-EU Relations with EGMONT Director General in Belgium

Brussels, The Gulf Observer: A high-level meeting between a delegation of Uzbekistan’s leading analytical centers and Pol De Witte, Director General of the Royal Institute for International Relations EGMONT, was held in Belgium.

Representatives from Uzbekistan included experts from the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR), the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA), the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS), and the Center for Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting focused on the evolving dynamics of Central Asia, the region’s engagement with the global community, and opportunities for fostering interregional relations under the framework of “Central Asia and the European Union.”

Javlon Vakhabov, Director of the IICA, highlighted the growing global significance of Central Asia, noting that the region now plays an active role in over 10 “CA+” formats, engaging with nearly 40 countries and two regional organizations.

Pol De Witte, EGMONT’s Director General, underscored the need for the European Union to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral ties with Central Asia, given the region’s rising prominence as an independent global actor.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to fostering collaboration between Uzbekistan and European analytical institutions. Both sides emphasized the importance of continued dialogue to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation.