DUSHANBE, November 28, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Kyrgyzstan was the first stop of a tour of European Union foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton of Central Asia.  

In Kyrgyzstan, she chaired the EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Bishkek on November 27.  In Bishkek, she also bilaterally met with President Almazbek Atambayev and Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldayev.

Today, the European Union''s foreign policy chief is visiting Uzbekistan, the second stop of a tour of Central Asia.  In Tashkent, Ms. Ashton is meeting with President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov.

In Dushanbe on Thursday, November 29, the High Representative will meet President of Tajikistan Emomalii Rahmon and Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi.

She will conclude the visit in Astana where she will meet Kazakhstan''s President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov.  In Astana she will also deliver a speech on relations between the EU and Central Asia.

Throughout the trip HRVP Ashton is also expected to meet representatives of civil society.