Rubio arrives in Samarkand with over 200 business leaders for C5+1 talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand on October 18 for his first visit to Central Asia, accompanied by a delegation of more than 200 American business representatives. The visit centers on a C5+1 meeting with the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, where officials are expected to discuss regional security, trade, investment, energy and critical minerals. Rubio is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with regional officials and launch an Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The program includes a U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council meeting, with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also expected to take part.