The issue of expanding legal labor migration was raised in Brussels
The first forum of Central Asia and European Union think tanks was held in Brussels. Issues of expanding opportunities for legal labor migration, entering new markets, and developing transport links were discussed at the event.
Issue of expanding legal labor migration raised in Brussels
According to the press release regarding the forum, the event was held on October 27–28, 2026, at the headquarters of the European External Action Service with the participation of heads of leading think tanks from the two regions.
Speaking at the forum, Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS) under the President of Uzbekistan, stressed that cooperation with the European Union should expand the region's opportunities to attract investment and technologies, enter new markets, and diversify transport routes.
"For us, partnership with the European Union is an opportunity to expand economic ties, diversify markets, and attract new technologies while maintaining the freedom to cooperate with other partners," he said.
Aripov paid special attention to the development of human capital, vocational education, and digital skills, as well as expanding opportunities for legal labor migration.
Among the promising areas of cooperation, the creation of joint production chains covering the processing of critical minerals and the manufacture of high-value-added products was noted. Issues of increasing the efficiency of transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and strengthening resilience to water and climate-related risks were also raised.
In addition, assistance in ensuring stability in Afghanistan through the alignment of security measures with economic development and educational initiatives was discussed.
The ISRS Director emphasized the need to translate the reached agreements into practical results.
"Today, it is important to transform the established political guidelines into concrete projects and practical results. The effectiveness of our partnership should be evaluated precisely on the basis of this criterion," Eldor Aripov said.
The forum was organized by the ISRS, the Office of the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, and the EU Institute for Security Studies. It was a practical continuation of the first "Central Asia – European Union" summit held in Samarkand in April 2025. Following the outcomes of that summit, relations between the two regions were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership.
The forum participants expressed interest in continuing the expert dialogue and developing this platform as a format for regular cooperation.