According to the Foreign Ministry, the parties discussed topical issues of interaction and comprehensively considered ways to implement the initiatives announced on January 25 during the online summit by the heads of state of Central Asia and China on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The ministers reaffirmed their desire to continue mutually beneficial cooperation in order to further expand relations in the areas of political dialogue, sustainable development, trade and economic, investment, financial, scientific and technical, transport and communication, water and energy, information technology, environmental, cultural and humanitarian cooperation and “green” energy sources.
The importance of using the potential of the states of Central Asia and China in the interests of forming a security space in the region, a mutually beneficial, sustainable and inclusive partnership was noted.
The meeting participants supported the initiative of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the development and adoption of a UN General Assembly resolution on the interconnectedness of Central and South Asia.
An exchange of views took place on the promotion of the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan, including in cooperation with the international community. A common interest was expressed in overcoming the humanitarian crisis as soon as possible and restoring the socio-economic infrastructure of Afghanistan, its involvement in world economic relations in order to promote the achievement of civil peace and harmony in the Afghan society.
Special attention was paid to the issues of resuming air traffic and creating more favorable conditions for mutual trips of citizens, the progressive restoration of passenger flights and an increase in cargo transportation, tourist flow, the formation of “express corridors”, the organization of multimodal transportation of goods and “green corridors”.
The head of the Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan called to support the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan on the establishment of the Coordinating Council of the States of Central Asia and China for the development of transport interconnectedness, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted cargo flow and the development of trans-regional logistics networks, as well as the practical implementation of transport infrastructure projects.
Following the event, a Joint Statement, a “Roadmap” for the development of regional cooperation for 2022-2025, an Initiative to deepen cooperation between the states of Central Asia and China in the field of interconnectedness, an Initiative on cooperation in ensuring data security between China and the countries of Central Asia were adopted.
It should be recalled that the second ministerial meeting in the China-Central Asia format was held on May 12, 2021 in Xi’an (PRC). The Foreign Ministers discussed topical issues of strengthening mutual trust, further promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, implementing joint projects, promoting transport connectivity and ensuring the continuity of trade, deepening relations to ensure regional security and counter modern challenges and threats.
