TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 20. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the first summit of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf on July 19, Trend reports.
The forum, chaired by Crown Prince, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, was also attended by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Emir, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Oman Sheikh Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Special Representative of the King of Bahrain Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, as well as Secretary General of the Council Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi.
The issues of developing a constructive political dialogue, expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation, strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties were considered. The sides exchanged views on topical aspects of regional and international politics.
The president of Uzbekistan emphasized in his speech the deep historical interconnectedness of the peoples of Central Asia and the Gulf region, which is based on close trade relations, common values and traditions, and the holy religion of Islam.
Describing the current situation, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that despite the current risks and challenges, both regions continue to remain a space of peace, stability and progress. The States of Central Asia and the Gulf are reliable and long-term partners.
It was noted with satisfaction that in recent years Uzbekistan's relations with the Gulf countries have risen to a qualitatively new level.
Taking into account this positive experience, it is proposed to expand practical cooperation between the two regions in a number of priority areas.
In the political area, the leader of Uzbekistan pointed out the importance of developing large-scale cooperation in various formats.
In order to bring brotherly countries and peoples closer together, it is proposed to study the issue of developing a multilateral agreement on friendship, regional interconnectedness and cooperation.
The second direction is cooperation in the field of high technologies and investments. The Uzbek president noted the need to create platforms and working mechanisms for cooperation in the field of innovation, artificial intelligence, green economy, digitalization, smart agriculture, nano- and biotechnologies. An initiative has been put forward to create a Joint Investor Council with the participation of business representatives and hold its first meeting in the city of Samarkand (Uzbekistan).
"We are interested in the effective use of the potential of investment funds created in our region by partners and the expansion of the activities of leading banks from the Gulf. I also consider that it is important to adopt a separate Roadmap for the joint implementation of projects in the field of green energy," President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The third direction is strengthening trade and transport interconnectedness. Mirziyoyev noted the urgency of creating a free trade zone with the Gulf countries, harmonizing technical regulations and developing electronic commerce. In this regard, it is proposed to work out the issue of signing a multilateral trade agreement.
In the field of transport and transit, it is proposed to apply favorable tariffs when using the Middle Transport Corridor, to make extensive use of existing multimodal routes, and to increase direct flights using subsidizing measures.
The leader of Uzbekistan also called on partners to take an active part in the strategic project for the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway, which will connect the Gulf states with Central Asia along the shortest route.
The next important areas are ecology and climate change. The importance of developing an international program of joint research on the basis of the University for the Study of the Environment and Climate Change of Central Asia, which is opening in Uzbekistan, was noted.
The attention of the participants was also drawn to the opportunities in the field of tourism. It is proposed to create a single visa–free "Gulf - Central Asia" tourist space, modern clusters and joint tourist products, as well as to hold a forum of leading tour operators of the two regions in the city of Khiva, which has been declared the Tourist capital of the Islamic world in 2024.
The issue of joint struggle within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation with the cases of Islamophobia observed in the world was also touched upon.
Moreover, it was pointed out that there is a need to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, radicalism, and drug trafficking, as well as to protect young people from the spread of these threats through the Internet and other channels.
In conclusion of his speech, the president of Uzbekistan expressed confidence that the results of today's historic summit will serve to bring the multifaceted relations between the regions of Central Asia and the Gulf to a completely new level.
Following the results of the event, a joint statement was adopted.
The summit participants supported the proposal of the Republic of Uzbekistan to hold the next meeting of leaders in the format of "Central Asia – Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf" in the city of Samarkand.