Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 7 August / Trend, D. Azizov /
Participants of the third session of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue, held in Tashkent on Saturday, confirmed the importance of seeking ways to jointly address common problems and promote cooperation in order to ensure stability and prosperity in the region, said in a joint press release from the meeting.
The session, held under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan, attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Kazuo Okada, Secretary of State - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Kazakbaev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Khamrokhon Zarifi and the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan Sultan Pirmuhamedov.
Participants discussed issues related to cooperation between Central Asia and Japan and implementation of the plan of actions of the Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue. Also they discussed issues of improving the welfare of the population of the region, combating extremism, drug trafficking, environmental rehabilitation of the Aral Sea region, cooperation in transport communications and water and energy sectors, as well as cooperation in regional security.
Representatives of the countries - participants were unanimous about the need for continuous dialogue between the countries to resolve the various threats from outside, and common regional problems. Given the importance of stabilizing the situation in Kyrgyzstan, they expressed their intention to continue the necessary assistance to that country.
In order to further strengthen trade and investment relations, Japan has expressed willingness to host next year the Japan-Central Asian economic forum.
The Japanese side noted that an independent and long-term development in Central Asia and the maintenance of peace and stability, it is beneficial to the whole Eurasia.According to a press release, Japan will also continue to assist in the formation of the transport and logistics infrastructure in each country.
The Central Asia plus Japan dialogue is a political initiative between Japan and the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with the goal to create "a new framework for cooperation, thereby elevating relations between Japan and Central Asia to a new level".
The Central Asia plus Japan was initiated by Japan and the countries of Central Asia in 2004. The first two forums were held in 2004 in Kazakhstan and in 2006 in Japan.