Rome, May 14, 2025 - The seminar was organised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the geopolitical research centre Vision and Global Trends. Participants included senior officials from Italy’s Foreign Ministry, the ambassadors of the Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – as well as representatives of Italian government bodies and national companies, academic institutions, diplomats, experts, and journalists. The event aimed to discuss the current state and future prospects of relations between Italy and Central Asia across various areas of cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli emphasized the growing strategic importance of Central Asia in global affairs and the deep ties linking the region with Italy. According to Cirielli, Italy was the first European country to establish a mechanism for regular consultations with the five Central Asian nations in the “C5+1” format, with the goal of strengthening cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Speaking at the seminar, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Italy Yerbolat Sembayev noted that Italy is one of Kazakhstan’s strategic partners in Europe. He stressed that the two countries enjoy strong relations based on mutual respect, trust, and a pragmatic approach to cooperation. Italy is among Kazakhstan’s top three trade and economic partners, with bilateral trade reaching a record $20 billion in 2024.

“A close political dialogue established at the highest level has significantly intensified in recent years. Last year’s visit by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Rome, as well as the upcoming official return visit of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Astana, clearly reflect this positive trend. Cooperation with Italy—one of the leading political and economic centres of the European Union—is of strategic importance for Kazakhstan and opens up broad opportunities to further strengthen the partnership,” Ambassador Sembayev stated.

The Ambassador also emphasized that Central Asia is a region with tremendous potential - not only in terms of sustainable development but also in expanding mutually beneficial international cooperation. The region’s unique geostrategic location, substantial economic capacity, and young population create favourable conditions for developing new forms of partnership.

“Thanks to the joint efforts of all regional countries, Central Asia is increasingly emerging as an active player in international politics. Today, we are witnessing rising geopolitical tensions, escalating regional conflicts, and intensifying global trade rivalries. I am deeply convinced that, in our era of dynamic geopolitical change and global challenges, the expansion of interregional cooperation is becoming particularly important and acquiring strategic significance,” the Kazakh diplomat added.

Ambassador Sembayev highlighted Italy’s role as an important bridge between the Central Asian countries and the European Union. According to him, through its active position within the EU, Italy makes a valuable contribution to advancing dialogue, strengthening mutual understanding, and implementing practical initiatives in the framework of interregional cooperation.

The seminar also featured remarks by the ambassadors of Kyrgyzstan – Taalai Bazarbaev, Tajikistan – Jamoliddin Ubaidullo, Turkmenistan – Toyly Komekov, and Uzbekistan – Abat Fayzullaev, who spoke about the development of their respective countries’ relations with Italy.

A welcome message from Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani was also read to participants.

In addition, presentations were delivered by Riccardo Sessa, President of the Italian Society for International Organisations; Federico Failla, coordinator of the Italy–Central Asia ministerial meeting at the Italian Foreign Ministry; Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Educational Cooperation; as well as representatives of various Italian government institutions and universities.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-roma/press/news/details/995758?lang=kk