Kazakhstan is committed to the principles of equity and mutually beneficial cooperation in its relations with all Central Asian states. We are strengthening our regional cooperation among our brotherly nations of Central Asia in diverse spheres ranging from trade and investments, transportation, water management to culture and education. We will continue to seek new opportunities for greater trade growth and mutual investment, and developing systems that support and streamline the greater movement of services and labour.
We are proud of the recent progress made in the Central Asian region in promoting trade and commerce and enhancing interaction among the citizens of the five countries. Positive regional relations led to the first consultative meeting of leaders of the Central Asian states in our capital in March 2018, followed by the second and third consultative meetings of leaders in Tashkent in 2019 and in Ashgabat in 2021 respectively.
As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2017-2018), Kazakhstan actively promoted the common interests of the Central Asian states, advanced issues that were critical for the successful and secure development of the region. The First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, in his Policy address to the Security Council in January 2017, had proposed the creation of a model zone of peace, security and cooperation in Central Asia. Several elements of such a zone are already in place, as noted in the International Aral Sea Fund, the Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Central Asia and other mechanisms.
Despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Central Asian countries have continued their multifaceted regional cooperation. The leadership and governments of Central Asia continued to maintain regular contacts, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and provide humanitarian assistance in the most effective and efficient way possible.
The peace and security of Afghanistan have always been a priority for Kazakhstan with a view to integrate it into Central Asia, jointly together with other countries in the region. With its high potential promise and possibilities, we consider Afghanistan as our important regional partner.
Afghanistan is entering a critical phase in its history. The only means to de-escalate the conflict and lay the foundations of stability in the country is dialogue, compromise and mutual understanding. We, thus, once again reiterate that the Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled settlement of the Afghan conflict is the only way forward. Kazakhstan hopes that the opposing parties will find compromise solutions in the interests of the people of Afghanistan.
Our regional security and stability are intertwined with the fate of Afghanistan and all others in an interconnected world. We should focus on sustainable economic and social models, and stable political structures to fight poverty, violent extremism and terrorism, drug-trafficking, organized crime and illegal migration. We, therefore, see Afghanistan’s peace and progress as critical to the entire Central Asian region and thus invest significantly towards its advancement.