Central Asia - integrating link between Europe and Asia
Central Asia, a region integrated internally and open externally through the network of international transit-transport and trade corridors, intends to become a determining factor in deepening trade and economic relations and to create a favorable environment for long-term interaction between Europe and Asia.
It is stipulated in the Joint Statement adopted at the end of the second annual meeting of foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, held in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly 72nd session.
Having positively assessed the progress in friendly and mutually beneficial ties between the five regional nations, as well as significant achievements gained for a quarter century since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the high officials discussed a number of regional and global issues and further joint steps to strengthen cooperation.
The final document of the meeting outlined plans for the organization of two high-level events aimed at developing common solutions to regional issues through constructive dialogue.
Thus, Uzbekistan initiated a high-level international conference “Central Asia: Common Past and Common Future, Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Prosperity”, to be held in Samarkand in November this year under the UN aegis.
Tajikistan suggested hosting in June 2018 in Dushanbe the high event dedicated to the implementation of the new “International Decade of Action “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018-2028”.
The statement expresses the commitment of the parties to the development of interaction in such areas as the establishment of a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia, the formation of a new model of partnership on the Afghan problem, transport, trade, economy, education, science, tourism, sports, water and energy resources management, mitigation of the negative impact of the climate change.
The sides agreed to arrange similar meetings on a regular basis.
