On March 31, 2026, the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asia and the European Union was held in the city of Samarqand, the Republic of Uzbekistan, in which the Deputy Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mavsuma Muini, and a member of the Committee of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan on Legislation and Human Rights, Dilnoza Murodullozoda, participated and delivered speeches.
It was emphasized that in recent years, Central Asia has become an important platform for strategic dialogue between regions, and relations between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union are developing significantly thanks to mutual interests and growing trust. The Roadmap for strengthening ties between Central Asia and the European Union, which is aimed at revitalizing beneficial interregional partnerships in the political, security, diplomatic, economic, trade, energy, and people-to-people spheres, is a practical expression of these principles.
Muini noted that we are optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union, including the strengthening of inter-parliamentary relations. It was noted that cooperation in the sectors of education, healthcare, rural development, energy, environmental protection and water resources, border management, the fight against drug trafficking and crime, ensuring the rule of law, and transport and communications is significant. Providing the necessary conditions for high-quality education for youth, as well as expanding youth access to the European Union educational programs, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programs, will significantly strengthen our cooperation in this direction. Furthermore, we are interested in closer cooperation with the European Education Area (EEA), including in the field of mutual recognition of qualifications and diplomas, expanding opportunities for language learning, and developing the system of continuous education.
"The security of Central Asia and Europe is closely linked. Within the framework of specific interregional programs to prevent threats and ensure regional security, we have been actively cooperating for decades under the 'Border Management Assistance Programme in Central Asia' (BOMCA) and the 'Central Asia Drug Action Programme' (CADAP). At the same time, we consider it necessary to strengthen the practical component of these programs, taking into account the current situation in the context of regional security," — M. Muini stated at the end of the conversation.
The hope was expressed that the format of inter-parliamentary cooperation will play an important role in the implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of the first Forum and will allow for the further improvement of the interregional partnership structure to serve the interests of our peoples. The Forum continued in three sessions, including the current state of political dialogue between Central Asia and the European Union; the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening trust and developing sustainable cooperation and partnership in the investment, economic, environmental, transport links, and 'green' transition sectors of the region; the rule of law, the role of parliaments in strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring human rights, and the formation of a secure digital space and inclusive governance.
Parliamentarians from European countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as international experts and the media, participated in the work of the forum, discussing various aspects of the issues in the forum's sessions and exchanging views.
At the conclusion of the Forum's work, the participants adopted the "Joint Statement of the First Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asia and the European Union."
