EU hopes to sway Central Asia in first interregional summit

EU hopes to sway Central Asia in first interregional summit EU hopes to sway Central Asia in first interregional summit

BISHKEK/SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan — The first EU-Central Asia Summit is taking place in Samarkand on Friday, with leaders expected to discuss trade, security and energy cooperation as Europe aims to exert more influence over a region in the thrall of Russia and China.

The summit will bring together the leaders of the European Union and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.