Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The countries of Central Asia can and are ready to play a key role in solving the most pressing issues of the region. This opinion was shared by the first deputy director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies (ISMI) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akramjon Nematov during an international online conference on the topic "State and prospects of regional cooperation in Central Asia."

According to Nematov, the main conclusion of the third Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia is that the process of regional cooperation has become stable, progressive and irreversible. A completely new political atmosphere of friendship, good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation has been established in the region.

This, as noted by the representative of the ISMI, is evidenced by the following facts:

First, a regular political dialogue has been established at the highest level, which allows resolving the most important issues in an open and trusting atmosphere on the basis of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests. Mutual trust and understanding of our leaders is the driving force behind the multifaceted and multi-level interaction between our countries.

Secondly, the heads of state of Central Asia reaffirmed their firm political will not to stop at what has been achieved, to steadily and consistently expand and deepen regional cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

Thirdly, and this is very important, our countries have demonstrated a decisive attitude and ability to play a primary and key role in solving the most pressing problems of the region, which hinder the development of its rich economic and human potential.

Thus, Akmal Nematov stressed, the results of the next meeting, which were reflected in the adopted Joint Statement, clearly showed a high level of consolidation and readiness of the leaders of our states to take responsibility for ensuring stability, security and sustainable development of the Central Asian region.

Of course, the deputy director of the ISMI noted, all this significantly strengthens the geopolitical integrity, subjectivity of the region, significantly increases the ability of states to jointly confront challenges and threats to security, together defend and promote our common interests. This is especially important today, when there is a crisis of confidence in the world, threats to global and regional security are growing, and uncertainty remains in Afghanistan.

In the opinion of the representative of the ISMI, in these conditions, it is important for experts to continue to strengthen the understanding that security is common, equal and indivisible, it knows no boundaries, is comprehensive. Ensuring security is not limited to the state of being protected from the traditional challenges and threats of terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, but must also include the ability of the Central Asian countries to withstand such new types of challenges as the negative consequences of climate change, global epidemics, and cybercrime.

According to the expert, in these conditions only through a systematic political dialogue, an integrated approach, and close coordination of joint efforts can the challenges and threats faced by our countries be overcome. Today we are successfully cooperating in bilateral and multilateral formats within the SCO, CIS, CICA.

In this regard, Nematov added, it is important to continue to develop multilateral interstate dialogue in the region, to establish coordinating working mechanisms on various aspects of security, to create organizational and legal conditions for constructive discussion and pragmatic solutions to all pressing political and security issues.

At the event organized by the International Institute of Central Asia on 9 August in Tashkent, was attended by leaders, prominent scientists and experts from leading research institutes and analytical centers of Central Asian countries.