Minister Lipavský Discussed Strengthening Mutual Cooperation in Central Asia
22.10.2024 / 22:40 | Aktualizováno: 22.10.2024 / 23:44
During his trip, the Czech diplomatic chief visited Kazakhstan on Monday, 21 October, and Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 22 October. In both crucial countries of the region, the Minister signed memoranda of cooperation.
During the meeting with President Kassym Zomart Tokayev, the partners appreciated the long-term development of mutual relations. In addition to mutual cooperation, he also spoke about the successful project of the Prague ZOO regarding the return of the Przewalski's horses to Kazakhstan. At the beginning of June, Czechia, together with Prague Zoo, transported 7 horses to Kazakhstan, with more to follow. The goal is to bring back at least 40 horses.
"The importance of the Central Asian region is growing and Europe must respond to this. A number of projects with Kazakhstan are already underway and we discussed others with Minister Murat Nurtle today," said Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský after a meeting with his counterpart.
At the end of the meeting, the two ministers also signed a memorandum on cooperation between the foreign ministries, which will create a framework for further consultations, economic cooperation and further development of mutual relations.
Minister Lipavský began his programme in Uzbekistan with a lecture at the "University of World Diplomacy and Economy", where future diplomats are trained. In front of a packed room, he shared his experience in diplomacy with the students, described the importance of his Central Asian trip and explained the Czech perspective on geopolitical events, especially the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Uzbekistan is another key partner in Central Asia, with which Czechia has also concluded a framework for enhanced cooperation. These topics were also discussed by the Minister during his reception with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Jamshid Khojaev and during his meeting with Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. In addition to the mutual level of relations, cooperation between Central Asia, or Uzbekistan and the EU, is also important.
"The European Union knows that the Central Asian region has an increasingly important role to play. At the same time, it is crucial that Uzbekistan and the whole region play a greater role in the Global Gateway initiative, which is building more resilient EU relations with the world. We all understand how crucial this is at this time," said Foreign Minister Lipavský during his meeting with the Uzbek Foreign Minister.
As well as in Astana, Kazakhstan, in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, the ministers signed a memorandum on mutual cooperation between the foreign ministries.