Uzbekistan participates at session of “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue

The session was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on 22 October 2013, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan said.

The participants of the session exchanged opinion on issues directed at expanding of cooperation in various spheres and preparations to upcoming fifth session of ministers of foreign affairs of the Dialogue in 2014.

Japan initiated new format of cooperation with the Central Asian countries – “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue – to promote expanding and strengthening close relations between the region and Japan, as well as develop regional cooperation.

In August 2004, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi officially announced this initiative, which became platform for discussion of general political and economic, as well as security issues for the region.

On 28 August 2014, the joint statement of the Ministers of the Foreign Affairs of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue was adopted, which outlined its main principles - respect for diversity, competition and coordination and open cooperation.

The Dialogue set five main directions of cooperation between Japan and Central Asian states – political dialogues, inter-regional cooperation, business encouragement, intellectual dialogue, cultural and humanitarian dialogue.