Donald Trump. Photo: rbk.ru
U.S. President Donald Trump has invited the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to participate in the “Central Asia + USA” summit (“C5+1”), scheduled for November 6 in Washington.
The invitation was confirmed to Gazeta.uz by the Administration of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Kazakhstan responded promptly: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev thanked the U.S. leader, calling the initiative “timely.” Tokayev emphasized that he shares key goals of the U.S. president’s domestic and foreign policy, particularly the promotion of traditional values based on common-sense principles and efforts to ensure peace and security.
Ahead of the Washington summit, on October 25, U.S. Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau arrived in Tashkent.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, the officials plan to discuss trade, investment, energy, critical minerals, and regional cooperation in the “C5+1” format. During their visit, Gor and Landau met with U.S. business representatives involved in various projects across Central Asia. In addition to Tashkent, the delegation visited Samarkand, where, accompanied by Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, they toured the city’s historic sites. Political talks with President Mirziyoyev are also scheduled.
The U.S. State Department noted that the tour will conclude on October 30. Besides Uzbekistan, the officials will visit Kazakhstan for meetings with government representatives.
“United States engagement with Central Asian partners will continue to strengthen relations and expand trade ties. We look forward to deepening bilateral cooperation and celebrating ten years of U.S.-Central Asia partnership within the ‘C5+1’ diplomatic platform,” the State Department stated.
The first “C5+1” summit took place in September 2023 in New York, when Joe Biden was U.S. president. Participants included the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The summit addressed a wide range of issues, with particular focus on green energy cooperation and regional security.
