The U.S. Secretary of State and the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan adopted a joint statement following the C5+1 ministerial meeting in Tashkent on Monday. The statement was circulated by the Foreign Ministry.

The meeting participants intend to develop partnerships in these priority areas:

• strengthening mutual trust, interaction and constructive cooperation;
• encouraging “coordinated regional projects” aimed at promoting trade, transport, logistics and infrastructure ties, promoting entrepreneurship, as well as expanding business and investment contacts between businesses of the Central Asian countries and the USA;
• development of cooperation between the countries of the region in the energy field, including the renewables, and in support of national plans for adaptation to climate change;
• preparation of proposals and initiatives aimed at improving the scientific, technological, social and innovative development of the region, as well as promoting tourism;
• expansion of cultural, humanitarian and educational ties.

The parties agreed to develop cooperation in ensuring border security and intensify joint efforts of the border services in combating cross-border threats such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, illegal migration, human and drug trafficking, including using the potential of the Central Asian Regional Information Coordination Center (CARICC).

It was decided to expand the dialogue on threats posed by foreign terrorist militants, and to exchange best practices in countering terrorism and violent extremism.

The participating countries will maintain mutually beneficial cooperation in promoting the peace process and political settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, as well as strengthening trade, economic, transport and infrastructure ties between the states of the region and this country.

Efforts will also be made to strengthen civil society, including through the protection of human rights and compliance with international law.