Central Asian Foreign Ministers Convene to Enhance Regional Cooperation and Solidarity
Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries gathered ahead of the sixth consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia to discuss the prospects of deepening regional cooperation and enhancing five-sided interaction. The meeting was held in Astana and aimed at further developing cooperation in various sectors.
According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry’s press service, the combined GDP of Central Asian countries has reached almost $450 billion, with mutual trade increasing by 80% to $11 billion in the last five years. The region has established mechanisms for cooperation between parliaments, Security Councils, and industry departments, as well as initiated a Dialogue of Women Leaders.
Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu emphasized that this year has witnessed a new level of practical cooperation among the Central Asian countries, with the Council of National Coordinators starting its activities. The progress in regional cooperation has garnered significant interest from the international community and received support from strategic partners.
Nurtleu highlighted the outcomes of the Central Asia Plus meetings, which included the participation of countries like China, Russia, the United States, India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Italy, as well as various multilateral organizations. Kazakhstan, as the chair, has actively worked to enhance the effectiveness of the consultative meetings, bringing together Secretaries of Security Councils, Ministers of Energy and Information, and the Forum of Historians of Central Asian countries for the first time.
“I express my gratitude for the support of Kazakhstan’s initiatives and fruitful joint work on the preparation of various documents in industry, energy, transport, and logistics,” said Nurtleu. The meeting demonstrated the progress made in regional cooperation and the commitment of Central Asian countries to working together for the common good.
