The Foreign Ministers of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and the US Secretary of State signed a joint statement following a ministerial meeting in the C5+1 format in Samarkand today, Oct. 19. The document sets out priorities for cooperation between Central Asian countries and the United States.
“This year, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are celebrating the 35th anniversary of their independence, while the United States is marking a historic milestone — 250 years since gaining independence. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership for generations to come,” the statement said.
The parties highlighted the need to develop the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor to boost bilateral trade and investment and open up new opportunities in fast-growing markets.
“By promoting deeper regional economic integration in Central Asia — through expanding intra-regional trade, improving transport connectivity, harmonizing customs procedures and strengthening industrial cooperation — we are creating a competitive regional market integrated with the US economy,” the statement said. “We will strive to bring Central Asia back to the center of the global economy.”
The C5+1 platform will continue to create opportunities for American companies in Central Asia. At the same time, the governments aim to expand opportunities for Central Asian businesses to invest in the US market.
“Building on secure and reliable technologies, US technological expertise and the growing technology sectors of Central Asian countries, we aim to create a region where e-commerce thrives, innovative solutions are widely deployed and talented entrepreneurs have the conditions they need to succeed,” the statement said.
The parties said stronger energy partnerships between the United States and Central Asian countries would help establish integrated, high-value-added supply chains while supporting sustainable economic growth and energy security.
“Each of our countries possesses unique reserves of untapped natural resources. We will combine our strengths to become a powerful collective driver of energy-sector development in the region,” the statement said.
The parties also pointed to significant potential in mineral extraction and processing, saying this could maximize benefits for each country. They said Central Asian countries could realize their export potential by developing innovative approaches to increasing the share of high-value-added products manufactured within the region and establishing mechanisms to bring those products to international markets.
Central Asian countries and the United States also intend to strengthen security cooperation under the C5+1 framework, focusing particularly on counterterrorism, transnational organized crime and border security.
“Our joint efforts will help improve security, including by countering illegal immigration, human trafficking and the illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons,” the statement said.
A modern approach to addressing digital-era threats, including deeper C5+1 cooperation on cybersecurity, would strengthen the parties’ ability to combat cybercrime, it added.
The parties welcomed long-standing cooperation between the United States and Central Asian countries on the security of nuclear materials.
“Building on our experience in establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, we will deepen practical cooperation on nuclear safety, non-proliferation safeguards, the physical protection of nuclear materials and the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” the statement said.
The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of all C5+1 participants and strengthening cooperation in this area.
“We will develop cooperation between law enforcement agencies and cultural institutions to promote and protect the unique history of C5+1 countries,” the statement said. The parties aim to expand professional, cultural and educational exchanges; use new technologies to preserve and protect ancient monuments; integrate cultural heritage protection into law enforcement activities; and train highly qualified professionals capable of playing leading roles on the global stage.
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