AKIPRESS.COM - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov met with the newly appointed European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais.

The two sides discussed all aspects of dynamically evolving relationship — from education to green energy — as well as current regional and global issues. Both parties expressed a shared commitment to further expanding the scope of cooperation.

Eduards Stiprais is a Latvian career diplomat. He has previously served as Latvia’s Permanent Representative to the European Union and as the Political Director and Deputy State Secretary at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2016 to 2020, he headed the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan.

On March 1, 2025, Stiprais succeeded Terhi Hakala, who held the position of EU Special Representative for Central Asia from 2021 until the end of 2024.

The new EU Special Representative’s primary mandate is to strengthen relations with Central Asian countries based on shared values, promote regional stability and cooperation, and support democracy, the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.