Rubio Explains Why He Is Travelling to Samarkand

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained on 17 October why he was travelling to Central Asia while international crises continue around the world. Speaking to reporters ahead of his visit to Uzbekistan, he said the timing had been coordinated around the schedules of regional leaders and the opportunity to bring together the foreign ministers of all five countries.

Rubio said Washington was interested in developing relations not only with Uzbekistan but also with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. He stressed the importance of engaging with these countries, even as international crises and other urgent developments often push strategic visits into the background.

The secretary of state noted that diplomats frequently have to travel to places facing a crisis or other problem, or where an international conference is taking place. However, he said it was also necessary to make time for visits to countries with which the United States intends to develop sustained cooperation.

Rubio cited his recent visits to Greece and countries in Latin America as examples. Now, he explained, it was Central Asia’s turn. The dates were chosen to allow the foreign ministers of all five countries in the region to gather in one place.

According to the US Department of State, Rubio will visit Samarkand, as well as the Indian cities of Mumbai and Jamnagar, from 17 to 22 October.

In Samarkand, the secretary of state will attend a meeting of foreign ministers in the C5+1 format and hold bilateral talks with senior representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Rubio will be accompanied to Samarkand by a US business delegation comprising more than 200 business leaders. The State Department described the visit as historic, saying it would open a new chapter in trade cooperation between the United States and Central Asia.

The C5+1 format was established in 2015. The first meeting of foreign ministers under the mechanism was held in Samarkand.