Istanbul process in Baku discusses the future of Afghanistan
The 7th Ministerial Conference in the framework of the Istanbul process on Afghanistan has started today in Baku. The ministers of foreign affairs and high-ranking officials of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations gathered in the Azerbaijani capital to discuss one of the pressing aspect of regional life. The theme, clearly reflecting the ministerial’s agenda, is “Security and Economic Connectivity towards a Strengthened Heart of Asia Region”. Heart of Asia Process, as negotiation platform, was established in November 2011 in Istanbul. Its task is to effectively strengthen regional cooperation and solidarity in support of Afghanistan in all aspects. "Heart of Asia," a geopolitical notion that denotes the central place of Afghanistan on the Asian continent, not only in geographical terms. The stability, economic sustainability and security of Afghanistan have vital importance for the prosperity of the entire region. The Istanbul process is comprised of 14 participating countries, 17 supporting countries, and 12 supporting regional and international organizations.
