Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrived in
Cholpon-Ata today to attend an informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of
State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. At the airport, President Tokayev was
welcomed by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head
of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan.
The informal meeting of the leaders of Central Asia and Azerbaijan focused
on strengthening regional cooperation and setting further
priorities for multilateral partnership. In his address, President Tokayev said
the intensity of contacts between the countries, at all levels, clearly
reflects their shared commitment to working together for the region’s
prosperity. This cooperation is already yielding results, with Central Asia now
experiencing the most successful period in its modern history. The region is
also playing an increasingly important role in global affairs. Evidence of this
is Kyrgyzstan's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations
Security Council.
«A
major achievement in this regard has been the completion of the signing of the
Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development
of Central Asia in the 21st Century. This historic document marks a new
milestone in our strategic partnership. It provides the political framework for
regional cooperation based on mutual trust, respect and responsibility for the
shared future of our brotherly nations,» the Head of State said.
President Tokayev thanked the President of Turkmenistan for joining the
Treaty. He said the next step should be the practical implementation of the
Treaty’s provisions through the development of an action plan. Azerbaijan's
accession as a full participant in the Consultative Meetings marked a new stage
in the evolution of the format.
«Over
the past several years, intra-regional trade has grown steadily, business ties
have expanded, joint ventures have been established, investment projects have
been implemented, and humanitarian contacts have strengthened. Cultural,
educational and youth exchanges are also taking on a new quality. All of these
positive developments are bringing our brotherly nations closer together and
strengthening the region's international standing,» the Head of State added.
President Tokayev said all key issues of regional cooperation had been
thoroughly discussed at last year's meeting in Tashkent. The proposals put
forward then, including those on further developing the Consultative Meetings,
remain relevant. Kazakhstan remains committed to the agreements reached and to
further advancing the strategic partnership among the countries. The informal
Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan
concluded with the adoption of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration.
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