Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend / The economic integration of the five countries of Central Asia, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is in its early stages. The private sector has acted as a major driving force in this process, whereas the Government has offered only indecisive and inconsistent support. This comment was made by US officials and experts from the private sector, according to the Bureau of International Programs of the US Department of State.
Since 1991, when the Central Asian countries obtained independence, they have been experiencing dynamic and sometimes destructive changes. Occasionally, problems that they have shared, including water resources, political nuances and security ideas, seemed to take over the unification of fundamentals such as the unity of the Turkic languages and its traditions.
Affirming their loyalty to regional cooperation, the Central Asian governments have frequently gone out of their way and in different directions and in different situations at times of common interests. "There is a need for successive political will and concrete agreements, putting the economic achievements on the firm legal basis so as not to lose them, should the Government change its mind," Harry Litman, the US Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Central Europe and Eurasia.
Evan Fiegenbaum, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Caucasus and Central Asia, noted that the United States has long favored the economic integration and expansion of trade, and offers mediator and partner aid.
The United States present funds for the improvement of the customs and border procedures and facilities in the region. So far, the dissatisfactory state in this field was the major obstacle in the ways of expansion of trade.
State and government officials and experts note the encouraging manifestations. Litman reminded in Washington of serious talks at the meetings of heads of economic, trade, and financial administrations of five countries with US senior officials and representatives from the companies. On 17 and 18 July officials from Central Asia participated in the third annual meeting of countries of the region which concluded with the United States frame agreements on trade and investments.
Closer economic and trade relations between the countries of the Central Asia and their neighbors would make hem more attractive for foreign investors and companies, which prefer having an access to bigger unified markets. Lyman said that politicians from the Central Asia now realize it.
"It makes us hopeful in continuation of regional cooperation," he added.