17/07/2026 (Agence Europe) – Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and the European Union met in Brussels on Thursday, 16 July, for their 13th Political and Security Dialogue. In line with their first bilateral summit that was held in April 2025, the EU reaffirmed its desire to deepen the strategic partnership with the five powers. The discussions focused on strengthening regional resilience through good governance and compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter. Participants also broached the subjects of the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. Faced with shared security challenges, they committed to deepening their cooperation on border control and cybersecurity as well as on the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking. Lastly, the partners reaffirmed the importance of sustainable connectivity, energy security, and digital transformation for the region’s prosperity. (JM)