The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting in the C5+1 Format.
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Current developments in the region confirm the significance and relevance of the C5 + 1 format, which helps maintain a trust-based dialogue and practical engagement between its participants in ensuring sustainable peace, stability, and prosperity in Central Asia.
The United States reaffirms its continued support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the countries of the region, as well as its firm commitment to expanding multifaceted regional cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
In order to effectively utilize the potential of the Central Asian region, the participants intend to develop partnerships in the following priority areas:
- Strengthening mutual trust, connectivity, and constructive cooperation in the further development of Central Asia as a strong, cohesive, independent, and prosperous region;
- Encouraging coordinated regional projects aimed at promoting trade, transport, logistics and infrastructure ties, promoting entrepreneurship, as well as expanding business and investment contacts between the business community of the states of the region and the United States, including under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA);
- Developing and intensifying the interaction between countries of the region in the energy sector, including in the area of renewable energy sources, and supporting national plans for adaptation to climate change;
- Preparing proposals and initiatives aimed at improving the scientific, technological, social and innovative development of the region, as well as strengthening its tourism potential;
- Expanding cultural, humanitarian, and educational ties;
- Developing border security cooperation and intensifying joint efforts of the border forces of the countries of the region in combating cross-border threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, illegal migration, human trafficking and drug trafficking, including using the potential of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center;
- Expanding dialogue on the threats posed by foreign terrorist fighters, sharing best practices in countering terrorism and violent extremism;
- Supporting mutually beneficial cooperation in promoting the peace process and political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, as well as strengthening trade, economic, transportation, and infrastructural ties between the states of the region and Afghanistan;
- Strengthening civil society, including through the protection of human rights and compliance with international law;
The Secretary and Ministers thanked the Republic of Uzbekistan for hosting this regular meeting of the heads of foreign affairs agencies in the C5 + 1 format.
