Von der Leyen Affirms EU’s Commitment to Uzbekistan

On November 6, the European-Uzbekistan Economic Cooperation Association opened the European Economic Days 2024 in Tashkent. At the ceremony, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent a video message to the event participants expressing her support for Uzbekistan’s efforts to restore its central position on Asian and world trade routes. More than 300 representatives from Uzbek and European governments and business sectors participated. Von der Leyen highlighted three main areas of cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan, which have grown significantly in recent years. She began by emphasizing Uzbekistan’s historical role as a “beating heart” of global trade. “For centuries, European merchants traveled to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva for clothing and ceramics,” she said, recalling the stories these merchants would bring back of Uzbekistan’s palaces, landscapes, and vibrant culture. She noted that Uzbekistan seeks to open to the world once again. Her first example of collaboration focused on trade: “Since 2021, we opened the European market to Uzbek goods, and exports, especially in textiles and metallurgy, have rapidly increased,” she said, adding that there is still vast growth potential. Von der Leyen then turned to investment, mentioning the EU’s Global Gateway program, which supports Uzbekistan’s goal of global connectivity. She highlighted the EU’s investment of up to 10 billion euros, alongside international partners, in the Trans-Caspian Corridor—the shortest, safest route from Europe to East Asia, connecting Central Asia and Europe in less than 15 days. Additionally, she noted efforts to connect Uzbekistan to the EU satellite network to bring advanced digital communications to even the country’s most remote areas. Her final example centered on expanding EU cooperation in Uzbekistan’s strategic sectors. She referenced an agreement signed in April 2024 to bolster supply chains for critical minerals, a project that aims to create jobs and add value locally. “While some global investors focus solely on raw material extraction, that’s not us,” she emphasized, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to supporting domestic industry, job creation, and value-added production in line with high standards. Concluding her speech, Von der Leyen expressed hope that the forum would establish effective cooperation, new business opportunities, and strong relations between Europe and Uzbekistan. She also announced plans for the first-ever “Central Asia—EU” summit in Samarkand next year, marking another step in the region’s evolving relationship with the EU.

Redefining Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s Strategic Shift in Relations With Afghanistan

On September 9, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree dismissing Alimkhan Yesengeldiyev from the position of Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Afghanistan. Yesengeldiyev has been at the post since April 2018. Local media have not yet reported on the appointment of a new ambassador. Previously, Astana has made bold diplomatic steps towards normalizing relations with Afghanistan under Taliban rule. For instance, Kazakhstan accredited Taliban diplomats in April 2023, and removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations in December 2023. On August 21 of this year, Kazakhstan accredited the head of the Afghan diplomatic mission as charge d'affaires in the country. Astana continues to increase trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation with the de facto authorities, and has actively engaged in various international platforms for initiatives in Afghanistan. Moreover, President Tokayev outlined Kazakhstan's position on the situation in Afghanistan just a month after the Taliban seized Kabul, when the world was still in shock. “Kazakhstan sees the future Afghanistan as a truly independent and united state living in peace with itself and its neighbors," he stated. "At this crucial historical moment, the multinational people of Afghanistan should not be left alone in the face of unprecedented difficulties.” By changing the head of its diplomatic mission in Kabul, it appears that the authorities in Kazakhstan intend to qualitatively improve the state of their relations with the Taliban. The eventual appointment of a new head of the Kazakh embassy will symbolize a new page in relations. In all likelihood, according to recognized international practice, a diplomat will be presented to the Taliban not in the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary but as the Charge d'Affaires of Kazakhstan. This will preserve the principle of parity and be understandable given international disputes surrounding recognition of the Taliban. Overall, Kazakhstan's foreign policy steps have always been characterized by consistency and an unwavering focus on international law. It seems that the world as a whole is now acclimatizing to the idea of pragmatic dialog with the authorities in Kabul, with whom it is necessary to maintain constant bilateral and multilateral diplomatic contacts. On September 27, at the official request of the British government, the embassy of the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in London will officially cease operations. The embassy building will not be handed over to the Taliban or any other political representation. The embassy in Oslo representing the former government in Afghanistan has also ceased functions since September 12 at the request of the authorities there. Neither the British nor the Norwegian authorities are currently commenting on the situation. A few days ago, Deutsche Welle reported that the German Foreign Ministry has accepted the Taliban's application to recognize their consulate general in Munich as the sole center for providing consular services in Germany. In July, the Taliban Foreign Ministry declared that documents issued by 14 Afghan missions abroad are illegitimate. They were located in Britain, Berlin and Bonn in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and Norway. Currently, the...