В Атырау +31.5 
The 8th Meeting of Special Representatives and Envoys of the European Union and the Central Asian States on Afghanistan was held in Almaty.
During the meeting, participants engaged in a substantive exchange of views on current developments in Afghanistan, their impact on regional security and stability, and prospects for expanding international cooperation aimed at supporting Afghanistan’s sustainable socio-economic development.
The participants discussed issues related to strengthening regional integration, including the development of transport, logistics and transit corridors through Afghanistan. Such initiatives were recognized as an important factor in enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Central and South Asia, as well as in strengthening connectivity with the European Union.
It was noted that the Republic of Kazakhstan consistently advocates for political and diplomatic approaches to addressing regional challenges, promoting good-neighbourly relations, trust and cooperation in Central Asia and Afghanistan. In line with the foreign policy course of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the country places particular emphasis on advancing regional cooperation, promoting balanced approaches, and strengthening the central coordinating role of the United Nations in international affairs.
The participants highly appreciated Kazakhstan’s contribution to promoting constructive international dialogue on Afghanistan, as well as its practical efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, developing educational programmes and facilitating the economic integration of the region.
Particular attention was paid to the role of the United Nations in coordinating international support for Afghanistan. The participants underscored the importance of the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, whose establishment became a practical implementation of the initiatives put forward by President of Kazakhstan from the UN rostrum and aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the interests of the region’s sustainable development.
During the discussions, the growing role of Almaty as an international hub for multilateral diplomacy, interregional cooperation and dialogue was highlighted, as well as its importance as a platform for developing coordinated approaches to addressing pressing issues of security, sustainable development and humanitarian cooperation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation among the Central Asian states, the European Union and United Nations entities with a view to promoting peace, stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan, as well as ensuring the security and prosperity of the wider region.
Kazakhstan will continue to make an active contribution to the development of regional cooperation, the promotion of constructive diplomacy and the strengthening of international cooperation mechanisms under the auspices of the United Nations, guided by the principles of peace, mutual respect and shared responsibility for the future of the region.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the European Union and the United Nations.