On C5+1 High-Level Meeting

The regular C5+1 High-Level Meeting took place in the format of a videoconference with the participation of foreign ministers of Kazakhstan - Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Kyrgyzstan -Chingiz Aidarbekov, Tajikistan - Sirodjidin Mukhriddin, Turkmenistan - Rashid Meredov, Uzbekistan - Abdulaziz Kamilov, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale.

Participants of the videoconference discussed ways and plans to expand trade and economic ties, as well as joint efforts to respond to challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants also discussed efforts to support peace and stability in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Mr. Tileuberdi noted that despite the global turmoil, the format remains an effective platform for increasing economic cooperation between Central Asia and the United States, as well as attracting technology and expertise to develop transit and transport potential, work to preserve the environment, and strengthen regional security. The Kazakh Foreign Minister stressed the importance of continuing work within the C5+1 format to attract American investment and technology to Central Asia and use the platform of the Astana International Financial Centre for this purpose.

The sides expressed their intention to intensify interaction for joint resolution of regional issues.

The C5+1 format has been in effect since 2015 and is a multilateral mechanism for interaction among the five Central Asian states and the United States.