THE THIRD “CENTRAL ASIA – CHINA” FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING ENDED IN NUR-SULTAN

On June 8, 2022, the Third “Central Asia-China” Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

In its course, a constructive and interested multilateral dialogue took place on the progress and prospects of cooperation in this format. Among the topics discussed, special attention was paid to the need to consolidate joint efforts to ensure long-term peace and stability, issues of intensifying trade, economic and investment cooperation, and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.

Addressing the participants, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov noted the fruitful course of the political and diplomatic dialogue aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the countries of Central Asia and China, in line with the agreements reached by the heads of state.

In this context, the head of the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a special emphasis on the prospects for energy and transport-communications cooperation along the line of Central Asia - China, noting the readiness of Turkmenistan to consistently increase natural gas supplies to China through the territory of Central Asia.

In terms of transport cooperation, R. Meredov noted the validity and real possibility of establishing multimodal transport links from China to the west through the territory of Central Asia. In this context, it seems natural to use the capabilities of the port infrastructure of Turkmenistan on the Caspian Sea.

During the meeting, special attention was also paid to the Afghan problem, joining efforts to combat new threats and challenges, joint work to overcome the consequences of the pandemic, and a number of other important issues.

As a result of the meeting, 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 Connectivity, and an Initiative for Cooperation in Ensuring Digital Data Security between China and the Countries of Central Asia were adopted.

As part of the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, during which themes of bilateral cooperation, regional and international issues were discussed.