Foreign Minister participates in the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting

On December 4, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Baxtiyor Saidov took part in the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Vienna, where participating states reaffirmed their commitment to constructive dialogue, regional cooperation, and strengthening the multilateral system. The meeting stressed the need to restore mutual trust and address growing geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, cyber threats, and climate-related challenges that increasingly transcend borders. It was noted that international institutions, including the OSCE, must enhance their capacity to fulfill their founding mission under these complex global conditions.

Uzbekistan supports all efforts aimed at enhancing the Organization's effectiveness, preserving its inclusive nature, and reinforcing its capacity to respond to contemporary challenges.

Central Asia's transformation into a region defined by trust, dialogue, and mutually beneficial cooperation was highlighted. Joint efforts by the countries of the region over the past eight years have resolved longstanding issues, accelerated economic integration, and increased connectivity.

On the sidelines of the event, Foreign Minister held several meetings with his counterparts. For instance, during the meeting with Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, growing dynamics of Uzbek-German cooperation were noted. Expansion of cooperation in trade, investment, green energy, vocational education, and connectivity was discussed. Views were also exchanged on key international and regional issues, as well as the agenda of upcoming events.

A productive meeting with Maka Botchorishvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, was held. Warm and friendly relations between the countries were reaffirmed, and opportunities to further enhance cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and regional dimensions were discussed. The discussion also covered key global developments, emphasizing the importance of strengthening stability, dialogue, and cooperation across the shared region.

Moreover, Foreign Minister took part in the first meeting in the new "Central Asia - Northern Europe" format meeting. This dialogue builds on the momentum of the "Central Asia - EU" Summit held in Samarkand earlier this year, which elevated cooperation to the level of strategic partnership.

Both regions possess significant untapped potential for deeper engagement. The need to expand the partnership with concrete and forward-looking initiatives was emphasized.

The 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council served as an effective platform for exchanging views on topics ranging from bilateral issues to regional and global processes.

The discussions demonstrated the importance of maintaining open channels of dialogue. Productive exchanges with partners allowed for comparing approaches, aligning priorities, and exploring new avenues for joint action in areas such as security, connectivity, and sustainable development.