On October 19, a ministerial meeting of the C5+1 dialogue platform was held in Samarkand, attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Central Asian states.
During the meeting, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi emphasized the historic contribution of Astana and Washington to the establishment of this format, noting the key importance of expanding mutual trade, diversifying logistics routes, and implementing joint high-tech projects in critical minerals, energy, and digitalization, according to a statement from the Kazakh Foreign Ministry press service.
The meeting participants adopted a Joint Statement affirming the parties' commitment to deepening multilateral economic and investment cooperation. During the visit, Tileuberdi was also received by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Kazakh Foreign Minister conveyed greetings from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and reaffirmed the high level of strategic partnership and alliance between Astana and Tashkent, emphasizing the regular nature of political dialogue.
Astana's active participation in the C5+1 negotiations and accompanying bilateral meetings demonstrates Kazakhstan's key role as a pragmatic bridge between the United States and the region. The combination of a multilateral format and strengthened ties with Uzbekistan underscores Astana's commitment to synergizing intraregional integration and foreign economic diversification.
For Kazakhstan, the practical implementation of initiatives in the areas of rare metals and supply chains allows it to attract advanced technological investment and strengthen its position as the main economic hub of Central Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 19, 2026