Prince Edward Hosts Central Asian Foreign Ministers for Talks on Education and Science

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, hosted a meeting in London with the foreign ministers of Central Asian nations to discuss strengthening regional cooperation with the United Kingdom in education, science, and technology.

The official talks, held under the "CA5+UK" format, were described as opening a new chapter in partnership. The Kazakh Foreign Minister, Yermek Kosherbayev, stated that collaborative work within this framework would provide additional momentum for national development and deepen inter-regional ties.

Minister Kosherbayev highlighted Kazakhstan's ongoing transformation into an international education hub and its active partnerships with leading British universities. Institutions such as Cardiff University, Coventry University, and De Montfort University have already established their own campuses within Kazakhstan.

During the discussions, Kazakhstan expressed interest in expanding access to British scholarships, grants, and educational initiatives. The country also proposed creating joint research centers in priority areas ranging from sustainable development and climate action to digital technologies and medicine.

The agenda further covered the development of collaborative projects in history, art, and tourism. Practical measures were discussed, including simplifying visa procedures for students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, expanding direct air links, and forming new tourist routes between the regions.

For his part, Prince Edward emphasized the fundamental importance of strengthening people-to-people ties as the basis for long-term partnership. He noted that the United Kingdom highly values Kazakhstan's openness and proactive approach to developing cooperation in areas of mutual priority.