By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK- On Wednesday, a joint statement was issued about the C5+1 meeting that met during the UN General Assembly 77th Session (UNGA 77) and was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Republic of Kazkhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The foreign ministers and representatives from these countries met to discuss regional cooperation and continual engagement through the C5+1 diplomatic platform. Three decades of mutually beneficial partnership between the five Central Asian countries and the U.S. was highlighted as well as a continued commitment to maintain the UN Charter with special reference to the principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries.
Participants also highlighted the crucial importance of maintaining peace and security, as well as resolving disputes through diplomatic channels. Ministers and representatives also discussed initiatives to enhance regional economic security and connectivity as well as guarantee food and energy security and strengthen their commitment to human rights. They commended the successful C5+1 collaboration since its launch in 2015 and announced the creation of the C5+1 Secretariat “to further deepen engagement to advance common objectives.”
