EU urged to put human rights centre stage at first central Asia summit

European Council president António Costa, Uzbekistan president Shavkat Mirziyoyev and European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen. Photograph: Uzbek President Press Service/EPA

The EU is being urged to put human rights centre stage as it begins its first summit with the leaders of central Asia.

The president of the European Council, António Costa, and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, are meeting the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on Friday.