Central Asian leaders vow to boos cooperation in various fields

The leaders of the five Central Asian republics met in Tashkent on November 29 for a historic summit. The second consultative meeting of the Central Asian leaders was attended Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, Turkmen President Gurbaguly Berdimuhamedow and former President, turned Elbasy (Leader of the Nation) of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the meeting participants discussed closer cooperation in the fields of trade, industry, transportation, science, and culture. 

They, in particular, discussed the elimination of trade barriers, closer investment cooperation, and major projects aimed at modernizing energy infrastructure and expanding transit capabilities of the region.

The Central Asian leaders also exchanged views on regional security.  

The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) says emphasis on the shared cultural heritage of the five nations was once again a key topic in multilateral discussions.  President Mirziyoyev put forward the idea of establishing a ‘Central Asian Prize’ open to nationals from all the five republics that would be awarded for outstanding achievements in science, culture and art. Cultivating a strong regional identity alongside citizen’s national identities is an important step in the process of enhancing regional cooperation and integration. These initiatives along with President Mirziyoyev’s suggestions for university forums and more regional sporting events are simple but effective methods of building this Central Asian identity, building on the countries’ often overlooked common historical, linguistic, religious and political heritage, according to EIAS.

Notable during the consultative meeting reportedly was the prominence of climate change issues in the discussion between the five leaders.  Renewable energy sources were a particular focus of attention as the leaders recognized the enormous potential for regional cooperation and investment in their development and how this will simultaneously benefit economic and energy mix diversification.

Afghanistan was also high on the agenda at Friday’s consultative meeting.  Afghanistan borders three of the five Central Asian nations and has been a source of concern for many years, particularly in issues of security and border management.  President Mirziyoyev articulated the importance of Afghanistan in a succinct and eloquent manner, stating: “An integral part of our region is Afghanistan. It is in our common interest to help this country firmly embark on the path of peace and development”. Mirziyoyev went on to advocate for a more active role for Afghanistan in regional trade and economic relations.  Extending the hand of international friendship by inviting Afghanistan as observers to future consultative meetings of the heads of state and other regional summits would be a warm gesture and help pave the way for a new chapter in Afghanistan’s and indeed, Central Asia’s history, especially considering that SAARC, the regional grouping to which Afghanistan belongs, is marred by inefficiencies.

The Uzbek president’s press service says the talks were held in a traditionally friendly atmosphere and in the spirit of complete mutual understanding, and they have become another vivid confirmation of the strong political will and commitment of the heads of Central Asian countries to strengthen confidence and good-neighborliness in the region.

The leaders reportedly adopted a joint statement and approved regulations on the regular convening of the consultative meetings.

Nursultan Nazarbayev was unanimously elected honorary chairman of the consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian states.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon was elected Chairman of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea Aral Sea  

The holding of the second regional summit was initiated by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the first regional summit that took place in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on March 15 last year.

Presidents of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as well as Turkmen Parliament Speaker participated in the first summit.  

Central Asian experts consider that geographic factors could turn Uzbekistan into a vehicle for regional cooperation because it borders all four other Central Asian states -- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan -- as well as Afghanistan.