On May 30, 2023, Deputy Foreign Minister Gayrat Fozilov met with the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala and the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Ilkka Salmi.

The parties exchanged views on cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, noted the need to expand partnerships in countering the threats of terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, and drug trafficking.

EU representatives highly praised Uzbekistan's experience in returning citizens, especially women and children from conflict zones, as well as their reintegration into society.

Cooperation in the Afghan direction was also considered during the meeting. Mutual interest was expressed in continuing a regular dialogue to resolve the situation in Afghanistan. In this context, they welcomed the outcomes of the Fourth Meeting of the Special Representatives of the European Union and Central Asian countries for Afghanistan on May 26 in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan).