Bishkek, May 12, 2021. / Kabar /. The second meeting of foreign ministers in the "Central Asia-China" format was held in Xi'an, China, with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Kazakbayev, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic reported.
During the meeting, the sides discussed topical issues of strengthening political mutual trust, further promoting mutually beneficial regional cooperation, implementing joint projects, promoting transport connectivity and ensuring uninterrupted trade, deepening relations to ensure regional security and counter modern challenges and threats.
In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic around the world, the sides highly appreciated the achievements of China in preventing the pandemic, controlling the epidemiological situation and ensuring sustainable socio-economic development, expressed their gratitude to China for the assistance provided to the CA countries in the fight against coronavirus.
As part of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the sides expressed their readiness to continue to assist each other in order to strengthen the health care system, to develop cooperation in the development of means for the prevention and treatment of infections, vaccines, modern and traditional medicine, as well as to improve algorithms for practical interaction in a timely response to epidemics.
The foreign ministers noted the enormous potential of interregional cooperation, which is one of the important components of partnership relations between the countries of Central Asia and China. Its expansion will contribute to the formation of new points of growth for practical interaction.
The sides agreed to strengthen twinning relations between regions and cities, increase the level of transport interconnection, fully unleash the potential of CA countries in transit traffic, create a green corridor to simplify procedures for cross-border movement of goods, increase the throughput of checkpoints, promote international railway communication, ensure the stability of regional production and supply chains.
The foreign ministers noted the importance of a peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, while respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country, expressed support for international efforts aimed at building consensus between internal and external parties on Afghanistan. The need to implement the Roadmap on further actions of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group was emphasized.
The sides agreed that maintaining peace and harmony in the region, ensuring security and stability in Central Asia, striving to resolve all emerging issues through mutual consultations and negotiations is of key importance for the effective deepening of interregional cooperation.
In his speech, Kazakbaev briefed about the coronavirus situation in the Kyrgyz Republic and the fight against it. He noted the importance of solving problems to ensure food security.
The Kyrgyz side views the Belt and Road Initiative as an important source and impetus for the implementation of joint projects and infrastructure development. In this regard, the earliest practical implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway construction project should become a significant step towards the full disclosure of the transit potential of the Central Asian region.
Kazakbaev expressed hope for the soonest full-fledged functioning of the Torugart and Irkeshtam checkpoints on the Kyrgyz-Chinese state border and noted the importance of increasing the efficiency of green corridors for transit cargo transportation to stimulate regional trade and economic cooperation.
The Kyrgyz side is also interested in stepping up cooperation in the field of joint construction of the Digital Silk Road and the development of e-commerce. In this regard, the Kyrgyz minister informed about the work carried out by the new leadership of Kyrgyzstan to improve the investment climate and protect the interests of foreign investors in Kyrgyzstan.
Following the meeting, the heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the Central Asian states and China adopted:
- Memorandum on the establishment of the format of meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs "CA-PRC";
- Joint Statement on Cooperation to Combat COVID-19;
- Joint Statement on Afghanistan;
- Joint statement on further deepening of interregional cooperation.
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