On Thursday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb began an official visit to Uzbekistan on Thursday. He is to hold talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the capital, Tashkent, on Friday.
According to Stubb's office, the two presidents will discuss Russia's war in Ukraine as well as "geopolitics and its regional impacts on Europe and Central Asia" and "cooperation in support of the multilateral system" along with bilateral ties between the two countries.
During his visit, Stubb will also participate in a business seminar, speak at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and meet with foreign policy experts.
He previously visited Uzbekistan as foreign minister in 2009. Ex-president Mauno Koivisto made an official visit to the country in 1992, soon after it declared independence from the Soviet Union.
On Wednesday, Stubb wrapped up a two-day visit to neighbouring Kazakhstan, with a similar set list of talking points with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Stubb is accompanied on the Central Asian trip by a business delegation including executives from 21 firms such as Wärtsilä, Konecranes and Valio.
Last Friday, Mirziyoyev was in Brussels to sign Uzbekistan's Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, along with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. The EU is Uzbekistan's third-biggest trading partner.
Finnish exports to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries have risen in the past couple of years, but officials have expressed concerns that some of the goods have been diverted to Russia in contravention of sanctions.
Last month, Mirziyoyev took part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit along with the presidents of Russia, China, India, Belarus, Pakistan, Iran and several other Central Asian countries.
Stubb heads to Brazil next
Also on Thursday, Stubb's office announced that he will travel to Brazil next Wednesday through Friday to attend the UN's COP30 Climate Summit in Belém. He is to deliver Finland’s national statement at the COP30 Leaders Summit on Thursday 6 November.
Stubb is also to join two sessions chaired by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, one focusing on energy and the other on forests and oceans. The two presidents are also to hold one-on-one talks. Stubb visited Brazil as foreign minister in 2012.
