The key facts

  • Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand on October 18 — the first visit by a US Secretary of State to Central Asia
  • On October 19, meetings in the 'C5+1' format and the first round of the Dialogue on an Expanded Strategic Partnership between Uzbekistan and the US will take place
  • Meetings with business representatives and a session of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council are scheduled

Arrival in Samarkand

On October 18, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand on an official visit. As Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva noted on her Telegram channel, this is the first visit by an American diplomat to Central Asia. 'Pleased to welcome US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to historic Samarkand,' she wrote (in the Uzbek version of the post — 'I am glad to welcome the Secretary of State to the ancient and young Samarkand land').

Who greeted him

At Samarkand International Airport, the Secretary of State was greeted by Head of the Administration of the President Saida Mirziyoyeva, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, US Special Presidential Envoy Sergio Gor, and Ambassador Jonathan Henickler.

Visit program

On October 19, a meeting of the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries and the US in the 'C5+1' format will take place in Samarkand. According to UzNews.uz, participants will discuss regional cooperation and the expansion of economic ties. Also scheduled is the first round of the Dialogue on an Expanded Strategic Partnership between Uzbekistan and the US with the participation of the heads of the foreign policy agencies of the two countries.

Business program

As part of the visit, meetings with business representatives and another session of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council are expected. According to UzNews.uz, the main focus is planned to be on developing trade, attracting investment, and implementing joint economic projects.