USA support strong and integrated Central Asia
“We have long been supporters of a strong and integrated Central Asia, and under the South Asia Strategy we look to continue to promote the economic connectivity of the countries of Central Asia”, said Ambassador Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia during the telephonic press briefing, held on Friday. According to her, USA and Central Asia have mutual strategic interests in promoting economic integration, in countering drug trafficking, terrorism and strengthening the stability in the region. Ambassador Wells pointed to Afghanistan, that to be integrated and to be a strong partner with the Central Asian countries. She called Central Asia, “a very critical region” to US efforts in Afghanistan. So, the USA intend to step up cooperation for economic connectivity and in security in order to bring stability to the region and Afghanistan. Touching upon the question on the C5+1 format of cooperation, the official said the US administration considers this platform as a very productive and constructive. “While it was launched under a previous administration, it has been endorsed and embraced by the administration of President Trump”, she added. Last regular meeting was held by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and five Central Asian foreign ministers in New York in September last year. Moreover, Ambassador Wels informed that C5+1 have gained congressional support at amount of $15 million, to be allocated for projects to reinforce this forum. “I think we’re very pleased to see the countries of Central Asia naturally come together, given the range of interests that unite them, whether it’s energy cooperation, trade or security”, commented she.
