President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is on a working visit to Astana, took part in the VI Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, which was chaired by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Speaking to his colleagues, the President of Kazakhstan noted that the results of the consultative meetings brought regional cooperation to an unprecedented level, giving it a systemic, comprehensive and, most importantly, trust-based character. He called on the presidents to concentrate all efforts to ensure that Central Asia remains a space of security, cooperation and prosperity.

Another urgent task, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said, is to form a solid economic base for multilateral cooperation.

“Joint large infrastructure and transport projects can become new growth points for the economies of our countries. There are already good examples of such mutually beneficial cooperation in the region. We are talking about the Kambarata HPP-1 in Kyrgyzstan, the Rogun HPP in Tajikistan, gas projects in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the construction of new transport corridors and a number of other important projects. The development of a network of trade, logistics and industrial hubs in border areas is a priority. It is necessary to reinforce our comprehensive partnership with new agreements in such promising sectors as agriculture, logistics, textile and chemical industries, construction,” Tokayev said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that Kazakhstan supports the proposal to establish the Business Council of Central Asian countries. In his opinion, the further development of the region's transit and transport potential, as well as the adoption of the Comprehensive Strategy for the Development of the Central Asian Transport System, are of great importance.

"A special place here is given to such projects as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the North-South Corridor, the Belt and Road Initiative, in which all Central Asian countries are involved to one degree or another. Thanks to joint efforts, the potential of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway is consistently increasing. Today, this is the shortest route to the Persian Gulf countries. We consider the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway, which opens access to the markets of South Asia, to be promising," the head of Kazakhstan said.

During the Consultative Meeting, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also spoke.

In conclusion, the President of Kazakhstan wished President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev great success in his post as the next chairman of the Consultative Meeting.

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