Cooperation between Central Asia and Japan in combating the pandemic

NUR-SULTAN, August 11, 2020 - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi took part in an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers of “Central Asia + Japan" Dialogue which was held in a video conference format. This forum is becoming especially important amid countering the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting, the parties paid special attention to the issues of effective interaction in the fight against coronavirus, overcoming its negative consequences for the regional economy and intensifying foreign economic activity. Issues related to the epidemiological situation, intraregional cooperation to provide each other with humanitarian aid, the return of citizens from foreign countries, as well as the prospects of resuming economic mobility and business activity were discussed.

The Kazakh side thanked the Japanese government for their comprehensive support in combating the pandemic and for the eagerness of the Japanese government to strengthen the ties between the sanitary and epidemiological services of the countries – to introduce advanced practices, and provide practical assistance in developing vaccines and new medicines.

The heads of the foreign affairs agencies decided to unite practical efforts in restoring trade and economic interaction within this format.  In this regard the economic and technological assets of Japan which can be applied in the modernization of the economy of Central Asia as a whole, and through the implementation of joint projects are of great interest. The participants agreed to develop specific recommendations in trade, investment, and agribusiness with the participation of Japanese business during the next 8th meeting of the foreign ministers.

The “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue was convened at the initiative of Japan. The first meeting took place in Nur-Sultan in 2004. The main areas of cooperation within the format are political dialogue, development of intraregional cooperation, business promotion, intellectual dialogue, cultural ties, and human exchange. The next 8th Meeting of Foreign Ministers within the framework of the Dialogue is planned to be held in Tokyo in 2021.