US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Samarkand visit expected on October 19

A meeting of foreign ministers from Central Asia and the United States in the C5+1 format will take place in Samarkand on October 19. Omonulla Fayziyev, spokesperson for Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister, announced the event. Foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan will attend, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

On the same day, Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and Rubio will hold the first round of the Dialogue on Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The sides will discuss deepening the strategic partnership, expanding political, trade-economic and investment cooperation, and regional and international issues. Meetings involving representatives of US and Central Asian business circles are also planned.

In September, Sergio Gor, the special presidential envoy for South and Central Asia, said Rubio would lead a delegation of representatives from more than 100 American companies. According to Gor, the C5+1 meeting will focus mainly on deepening regional economic ties, strengthening energy security and joint solutions to pressing regional issues.