(AGENPARL) – Fri 30 May 2025 Astana, 30th May 2025
JOINT DECLARATION BY THE HEADS OF STATE OF CENTRAL ASIA
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
FOLLOWING THE FIRST “CENTRAL ASIA + ITALY” SUMMIT
1. On 30 May 2025, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev,
welcomed in Astana the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic,
Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Zhaparov, the President of
the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar
Berdimuhamedov, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for
the first meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the President of the Council
of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni.
2. During an open and constructive dialogue, the Leaders, having recalled the historical ties
between Central Asia and Italy, exchanged views on the state and prospects of the
cooperation between the Central Asian States and Italy, and praised the development of
relations over the past three decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
3. The Leaders commended the progress made since the Third Ministerial Conference in
the Central Asia + Italy format held in Rome in 2024 and reaffirmed their commitment to
strengthening their partnership based on shared values, mutual respect, and common
interests.
4. They highlighted the broad scope of bilateral cooperation, as well as the development
of ties between the States of Central Asia and Italy within the framework of the European
Union (EU) and other multilateral platforms.
5. The Head of the Italian Government expressed support for the aspirations of the Central
Asian States to deepen regional cooperation. In this context, the importance of the
Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia was emphasized, as these
meetings play a key role in advancing regional cooperation, promoting multilateral
engagement, fostering peace and stability, achieving sustainable development, and
responding collectively to the region’s current challenges.
6. The Leaders welcomed the signing on 13 March 2025 of the Treaty on the State Border
between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan’s agreement on the junction of their countries’ borders, which
will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region.
7. The Summit welcomed the intensification of relations between Central Asia and the EU,
recognizing the importance of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, as well as the Joint
Roadmap developed in 2023 to deepen ties. The Leaders especially emphasized the
significance of the outcomes of the 20th Ministerial Meeting “Central Asia-European
Union”, held on 27 March 2025 in Ashgabat, and of the first Central Asia – EU Summit
held on 3-4 April 2025, in Samarkand, which elevated cooperation to a level of strategic
partnership.
8. The Leaders expressed appreciation for joint efforts and ongoing projects within
multilateral platforms, particularly within the framework of the United Nations and its
specialized agencies. Reflecting longstanding multilateral cooperation between Italy and
Central Asia, the Leaders acknowledged Italy’s active role and commitment to addressing
security, environmental and infrastructure challenges, as well as its initiatives aimed at
fostering cooperation and innovation in the region.
9. The Leaders reaffirmed their determination to collaborate in the interest of peace,
security, democracy, the promotion of human rights, rule of law and sustainable
development. The Leaders of Central Asia and Italy reiterated their unwavering
commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for the independence,
sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all States, the protection of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, the non-use of force or threat of its use, and the peaceful
settlement of international disputes. They declared their support for achieving a just and
lasting peace in all conflicts, based on adherence to the international law and the
principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
10. They expressed their readiness to discuss the possibility of cooperation for the
sustainable progress of the African continent noting Italy’s strategic view for Africa, the
Mattei Plan.
11. The Leaders emphasised the importance of addressing key global challenges. They
agreed to enhance collaboration in tackling emerging threats, strengthening cooperation
in combating climate change, countering terrorist and cyber threats, extremism, illegal
migration, trafficking of all types of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their
precursors like fentanyl.
12. In this regard, the Leaders agreed to further strengthen the dialogue and cooperation
between Italy and Central Asia in the field of security through regular meetings at a
regional level, with particular regard to law enforcement, countering illicit traffics, e.g.
drug, arms and people trafficking, deradicalization and prevention of extremism. They
expressed their interest in further exploring the possibilities for enhancing exchange of
information, experiences, knowledge, best practices and dedicated training of qualified
personnel.
13. The Leaders welcomed the steady growth of economic relations between Central Asia
and Italy, confirming their mutual commitment to fostering economic ties, trade, and
investment, as well as supporting the development of small and medium-sized
enterprises.
14. Building on strong economic growth and a steady increase in bilateral trade between
Central Asia and Italy, the Leaders agreed to take measures to expand cooperation in
interrelated areas such as natural resources, climate and energy – including renewable
energy, (e.g. solar, wind, hydropower etc.), critical raw materials, agriculture, connectivity
and critical infrastructure – including through the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
15. The Leaders emphasized the importance of addressing environmental challenges such
as the Aral Sea crisis, glacier melting and ensuring sustainable mountain development.
They noted the significance of further cooperation on water issues, including by
introducing energy efficient and resource-saving technologies, and in this regard
welcomed the initiatives of holding high-level events on these issues. They welcomed
Italy’s role in environmental initiatives in Central Asia, including pilot projects related to
the Aral Sea crisis.
16. The Leaders stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between Central Asia and Italy
in the energy sector, calling for increased cooperation at all levels in this domain. They
also recognized the importance of establishing effective legal and regulatory frameworks
to attract foreign investment in renewable energy projects and promote sustainable
energy solutions. The Leaders noted Italy’s expertise in technological innovation, which
could serve as a catalyst for the development of renewables.
17. The Leaders noted that the Central Asian States have significant potential in renewable
energy and the production of hydrogen.
18. They agreed to support cooperation and development of the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (TITR) as a reliable and efficient multimodal transport corridor between
Central Asia and Europe, and to encourage the participation of Italian railway and
logistics companies in transport, infrastructure, and consulting projects. The Leaders
stressed the importance of improving multimodal connectivity, including rail and road,
in the region and agreed to continue developing the TITR, thereby reflecting shared
priorities also addressed in the EU Global Gateway Strategy.
19. The Leaders noted that achieving climate and digital goals requires addressing key
challenges related to the extraction and processing of critical raw materials. In this regard,
Central Asian States and Italy agreed to seek mutually beneficial partnerships to promote
sustainable economic development, including through the creation of value-added
chains in producer countries.
20. The Leaders acknowledged the importance of addressing the economic, environmental,
and urban development consequences of infrastructure and industrial projects in certain
areas of Central Asia, ensuring sustainable growth and improved living standards.
21. The Leaders agreed to launch joint activities focused on exchange of knowledge and
institutional cooperation in key sectors. These include: the proposal to convene a
roundtable on water and hydropower dialogue in the Central Asia + Italy format by 2026
and one on energy cooperation in 2027, especially on advancing technologies for
sustainable energy production and efficiency.
22. The Leaders advocated for knowledge exchange to more effectively address shared
global challenges such as energy, water, sustainable agriculture, irrigation, healthcare,
connectivity. For this purpose, they welcomed the establishment of knowledge networks
among the Central Asia Countries and Italy. Italy’s contribution to technological
programs in the Central Asian region was especially noted as a key factor in promoting
innovation and strengthening cooperation.
23. The Leaders reiterated their interest in possible cooperation in the area of migration and
expressed their readiness to further expand their collaboration in the area of technical
and vocational education.
24. The Leaders highlighted the importance of expanding relations in the academic, science,
research and innovation field, as well as tourism cooperation. They called for further steps
in facilitating people-to-people ties. They emphasized the need to intensify youth
exchanges and joint initiatives aimed at bringing their younger generations closer
together. Italy’s contributions to technological programmes in the region were
highlighted as instrumental in fostering both innovation and cooperation.
25. The Leaders agreed to promote further contacts and welcomed the proposal of the
Kyrgyz Republic to host the next Central Asia + Italy Summit in 2027, as well as to
organize the Fourth Foreign Ministers’ Conference in the spring of 2026 in Italy.
26. The President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and the Presidents of the
Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan expressed gratitude to the
President of Kazakhstan for his hospitality and the successful organization of the meeting
in Astana.