On 25 February 2026, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted a high-level conference titled “Reform and Engagement: The New EU–Uzbekistan Agenda.” The event brought together senior EU officials, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), policy experts, and a high-ranking Uzbek delegation led by H.E. Sodiq Safoyev, First Deputy Chair of the Senate of Uzbekistan, and H.E. Abdulaziz Komilov, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Foreign Affairs.

Far from being a routine diplomatic exchange, the conference reflected a deeper geopolitical transformation. Central Asia is no longer perceived as a peripheral space but as a region of growing strategic weight—economically, demographically, and geopolitically. At the heart of this transformation stands Uzbekistan.

The event opened with a documentary film retracing Uzbekistan’s historical trajectory. The video evoked the Timurid era, Zuhriddin Muhammad Bobur, the scientific prominence of Samarkand, and the legacy of towering intellectual figures such as Ibn Sina. It also referenced Leonardo da Vinci to underline the global transmission of knowledge rooted in Central Asian scholarship. They also presented the new islamic civilization center constructed in Tashkent.

The imagery of Samarkand and the broader Timurid cultural renaissance conveyed a clear message: Uzbekistan is not merely reforming—it is reconnecting with a civilizational heritage that positioned it historically as a center of science, trade, and intercultural dialogue. The film also highlighted the country’s ambition to serve as a platform for multilateral cooperation in Central Asia.

This civilizational framing set the tone for the day’s discussions: reform in Uzbekistan is not an isolated domestic agenda but part of a broader regional reawakening.

The conference was organized under the leadership of MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, who opened the proceedings by emphasizing the transformative potential of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). He underlined Uzbekistan’s constructive regional role, particularly in fostering cooperation within Central Asia and maintaining engagement with Afghanistan.

Kyuchyuk outlined the day’s comprehensive program: remarks by Uzbek representatives, a documentary screening on reforms, analytical findings from the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), and a roundtable involving officials from DG INTPA, the EEAS, the Oliy Majlis, and European Parliament delegations.

His remarks reflected a notable shift in tone: the relationship between the EU and Uzbekistan has moved beyond cautious engagement toward structured and forward-looking cooperation.

Sodiq Safoyev: the need of Stability

In his address, H.E. Sodiq Safoyev framed global politics as unstable and fragmented but positioned Central Asia as pursuing consolidation rather than division.

He described EU partnership as a “constant” in a world of variables—elevating the relationship beyond transactional diplomacy. Referring to milestones such as the EU–Central Asia Summit and the upcoming inter-parliamentary forum, he stressed institutionalization as the new phase of engagement.

His message was clear: Europe’s strategic renewal and Central Asia’s consolidation are interlinked processes.

Abdulaziz Komilov: Central Asia at a Strategic Turning Point

The defining political intervention of the conference came from H.E. Abdulaziz Komilov. His keynote address provided not only a foreign policy outline for Uzbekistan but also a strategic vision for Central Asia.

Komilov framed the region as undergoing systemic transformation driven by political will and open dialogue among regional leaders:

“Central Asia is undergoing rapid transformation… we are moving toward the construction of a new Central Asia—a unified region built on shared goals and priorities.”

He highlighted practical steps toward institutionalizing cooperation:

Strengthening the legal framework........

© Eurasia Review