Central Asian FMs, US Secretary of State hold talks in Samarkand

The meeting was held at Forumlar Majmuasi in Samarkand. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrisov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Erlan Abdyldayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Aslov attended the session.

At the meeting, the sides exchanged opinion on perspectives of interaction in political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian spheres. The sides considered actual regional and international issues.

The Ministers adopted a joint declaration of partnership and cooperation of five Central Asian states and the USA. The sides approved creation of new format of interaction C5+1 and holding of regular political dialogue among the foreign-policy bodies of the six countries on issues, representing mutual interest.

The declaration noted that the countries will improve mutually beneficial cooperation in regional trade, transport and communication, energy linkages, and transit opportunities, including upgrading existing facilities and promoting common rules and regulations to realize fully the region’s great economic potential.

The sides also agreed to enhance a favorable business climate in the region to attract foreign direct investment and facilitate local entrepreneurship and broaden and strengthen business and investment contacts among the Central Asian countries and the United States.

They will also address environmental sustainability challenges, including through a new agreement in Paris that would contribute to the establishment of a climate regime that applies to all countries and join efforts in addressing climate change by promoting clean energy and green technology in the region.

The Central Asian and the US officials agreed to enhance cooperation to prevent and counter transboundary threats and challenges such as terrorism, trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, illicit drugs, and human beings.