Round table on the interests of Russia and “third” countries in Central Asia

Participants:

- Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Dmitry NOVIKOV;

- Leading researcher at the Institute of International Studies MGIMO of the Russian Foreign Ministry Ivan SAFRANCHUK;

- Head of the program direction of the Russian International Affairs Council Yulia MELNIKOVA.

Invited to the conversation:

- Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries, Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov Alexey MASLOV.

In October 2026, a busy international agenda is expected in the countries of Central Asia. October 7-9 in Turkmenistan - meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers and the Council of Heads of State of the CIS, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the organization, as well as a consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. On October 13-14 in Ashgabat - a meeting of the high-level group on the development of logistics of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor under the auspices of the EU, and days earlier, on October 12-13, in Tajikistan - a meeting of the parliamentary dialogue "Central Asia - European Union".

Central Asia is increasingly asserting itself on the international stage. Its geographical location in the heart of Eurasia, at the intersection of key land continental corridors, a growing economy and a visible desire to strengthen regional cooperation and its position in world politics are attracting attention to the region from the world's leading players: China, India, Russia, the USA, the EU, Japan and South Korea. Germany announces a strengthening of its strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, and the US Senate officially notes the strategic importance of relations with the countries of the region in Resolution No. 816 on the 35th anniversary of their independence.

What are the goals of external players and the “five” Central Asian countries within the “5+1” formats? What does this mean for Russian policy and its projects in Eurasia? Is the CIS format still relevant?

As part of the round table, the report of the Russian International Affairs Council "5+1 format: opportunities for cooperation with the countries of Central Asia" will be presented.