29.11.19
On 29 November 2019, the second Consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian States was held in Tashkent.
The summit was attended by: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov of Kyrgyzstan, President Emomali Rahmonof Tajikistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov of Turkmenistan.
- Mirziyoyev proposes to establish an investment forum and transport council in Central Asia
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev noted that “the current conditions of the rapidly changing situation in the world, the escalation of security threats and growing factors affecting the stable development, necessitate the strengthening partnership based on mutual trust and coordination”, and presented several initiatives aimed at developing a common vision of multilateral cooperation in Central Asia. The next important direction is strengthening transport interconnectedness and unlocking transit potential of the region. During the meeting it was noted that the transport system of Central Asia should, first of all, ensure well-coordinated communications within the region, as well as effectively serve increasing transit flows using the modern infrastructure being created. The necessity of accelerating the creation of a regional Council for Transport Communications, the harmonization of the Program and Agreement on the joint development of the transport system in Central Asia was emphasized.
Third, expanding cooperation in the energy sector, taking into account the long-term interests of the Central Asian region. Uzbekistan expressed its readiness to consider the possibility of implementing joint projects to create a modern energy infrastructure in the region, paying particular attention to increasing the share of renewable energy sources.
Among the most promising areas of cooperation is the implementation of the huge tourism potential of countries. Mirziyoyev noted the need to create a single, recognizable tourism brand in Central Asia with attractive regional tourism products.
To this end, Mirziyoyev proposed holding the International Travel Conference “Traveling in Central Asia”.
- Jeenbekov called for renovation of cooperation of 1998 agreement on the use hydropower of the Naryn-Syr Darya river between 4 Central Asian countries.
Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov said that “Climatic changes in the world are manifesting themselves more and more every year,”
According to him, scientists are observing a significant reduction of glaciers in Kyrgyzstan.
“Forty-five percent of the region’s water resources are formed in our mountains. Accordingly, in the near future we will face the real problem of lowering the water level in rivers. “As a result, it will inevitably affect the ecology of Central Asia, negatively impact joint economic activities, significantly reduce the potential of large hydropower plants,” the president of Kyrgyzstan warned.
In other words, a sharp decline in glaciers in Kyrgyzstan will have social, economic and environmental consequences for the entire region.
It is necessary now to begin international cooperation on the conservation of glaciers, to improve the mechanism of water-energy cooperation.
In this regard, I propose to unite our efforts to develop and introduce mutually beneficial compensation mechanisms for the accumulation of water resources in Central Asia.
In this regard, he proposed to introduce in Central Asia mutual compensation mechanisms for the accumulation of water resources. "We expect that the costs of storage, management and delivery of water will be reimbursed accordingly.
We urge the resumption of cooperation under the 1998 Agreement on the Use of Water and Energy Resources of the Naryn-Syr Darya River between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which provides for a compensation mechanism.
Kyrgyzstan stands for equal consideration of the interests and needs of all countries in the region in the water and energy sector.
We presume that a comprehensive reform of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea would fully meet these goals.
"I am convinced that this will allow us to move forward in resolving water and energy issues in the region for the sustainable development of our countries.
Kyrgyzstan is ready to engage in a constructive dialogue on this issue with a view to the mutually beneficial use of water and energy resources, ”he said.
- Nazarbayev proposed to allocate 10 grants for students from each country of Central Asia to study in the best universities of Kazakhstan
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev noted the need to pay special attention to cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian field, So, in this area, Nazarbayev offers to allocate 10 grants for students from each country in the region, providing the right to study in the best universities in Kazakhstan.
During his remarks, Nazarbayev proposed to conclude a five-sided Treaty on good neighborliness and cooperation for the development of Central Asia in the 21st century.
“It is necessary to achieve the barrier-free Central Asia by removing obstacles to the movement of goods, services and capital,” said Nursultan Nazarbayev.
- Berdimuhamedov invited the heads of Central Asian countries to think about creating a five-sided business council
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the heads of Central Asian countries to think about creating a five-sided Business Council,
“Such a structure could take on the functions of a think tank to form a joint strategy for the states of the region in priority areas of economic partnership,” he said.
“The business council can make appropriate recommendations to governments, develop specific proposals on the investment agenda for cooperation with foreign business circles,” the President of Turkmenistan added.
- Rahmon jikistan suggests the creation of Investment Fund in Central Asia
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon expressed the idea of creating an Investment Fund of Central Asia to fund the most promising regional projects.
A close neighbor is better than a distant relative,” Rahmon reminded his counterparts a well-known proverb in Central Asia.
The relevant multilateral agreement on developing a regional mechanism for transport and transit cooperation could be concluding, said Tajik leader.The sharing of water resources was one of topics touched upon by the president of Tajikistan.
He has been elected Chairman of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. The chairmanship of the fund passed for a period of three years.
Following the meeting, a joint statement was signed by the heads of state of Central Asia and a work plan for organizing a consultative meeting was adopted.
