The first-ever summit of the leaders of the US and Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – took place in New York. Joe Biden described the meeting as a “historic moment” that will take cooperation with Central Asia to new heights.
– I think this is a historic moment. We build on years of close cooperation, cooperation that is grounded in our shared commitment to sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. These principles mean more today than ever before. And today we are taking our cooperation to new heights, said Biden, opening the “C5+1” summit.
He said that the main topics of talks with the five countries were cooperation and assistance USA in combating terrorism, infrastructure and economic development, as well as the issue of critical minerals and energy security. According to previous announcements by the White House, the presidents were also to talk about climate change and rule of law.
The first such peak
In addition to Biden, the president also participated in the “C5+1” summit Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, president Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The meeting in New York was the first leaders’ summit under the “C5+1” format, which has existed since 2015. So far, the meetings of the six have been held at the level of foreign ministers. This is another attempt to tighten relations with Russia’s allies, some of whom have expressed critical opinions about Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“President Joe Biden draws Washington’s attention to Central Asia – a region long overlooked by Western countries – as part of efforts to strengthen relations with this landlocked region bordering Russia and China,” said the Voice of America website.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA