'The EU’s Global Gateway: from Brussels to Bishkek and beyond'

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.

Central Asian leaders will gather in Tashkent this weekend for the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Heads of State, with plans to adopt a package of multilateral agreements to deepen regional cooperation. The summit brings together the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, with Azerbaijan participating as a guest of honour for the third consecutive year. The leaders will discuss ways to advance joint projects in priority sectors and exchange views on key regional and international issues, as outlined in the agenda. The consultative meeting format originated from Mirziyoyev's initiative announced at the UN General Assembly in 2017, proposing regular high-level consultations among Central Asian states. The inaugural meeting took place in Astana in 2018. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev told the Uzbekistan press agency the meeting will be "a significant stage in fostering the centuries-old friendship between our brotherly peoples and expanding multi-level cooperation in the political, economic, transport, investment, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and in the field of digital transformation." He noted that over the past three years, Central Asian heads of state have made nearly 30 visits to Azerbaijan, while he has visited the countries 13 times. Azerbaijan's engagement strengthens regional connectivity, particularly through the Middle Corridor linking Central Asia with Europe.