Central Asian and Chinese FMs discuss ways to advance Belt and Road Initiative, transport interconnection

AKIPRESS.COM - The Second Central Asia - China Ministerial Meeting was held on May 12 in Xi'an, the Foreign Ministry of Kyrgyzstan said. The Foreign Ministers discussed the issues related to strengthening of political trust, promotion of regional cooperation, implementation of joint projects, facilitation of transport interconnection, uninterrupted trade, deepening of relations in ensuring regional security and countering current challenges and threats.
The sides expressed readiness to continue providing assistance to each other for the purpose of strengthening of healthcare systems, to foster cooperation in development of means to prevent and treat infections, to improve algorithms of practical cooperation in timely response to pandemic.
The Foreign Ministers noted potential of interregional cooperation which is one of the main constituents of partnership relations between the Central Asian states and China. Its expansion will help formation of new points of growth for practical cooperation.
The countries agreed to strengthen twin region and city relations between regions and cities, to enhance the level of transport interconnection, to utilize potential in transit transportation, to create a green corridor for simplification of procedures for transboundary transportation of goods, to increase throughput capacity of border crossing points, to advance railway links, to ensure stability for regional production and supply chains.
The Foreign Ministers noted importance of a peaceful regulation of the situation in Afghanistan, respecting sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country and expressed support to international efforts aimed at building consensus between internal and external parties on Afghanistan. Importance of implementation of the roadmap on further actions of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization-Afghanistan Contact Group was underlined.
Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev provided information on COVID-19 situation in the country and response to pandemic, noting importance of food security.
"Kyrgyzstan sees Belt and Road Initiative as an important source and impetus for implementation of joint projects and development of infrastructure. The soonest construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway should become an important step to full utilization of transit potential of the Central Asian region," Minister Kazakbaev said.
Foreign Minister Kazakbaev expressed hope for the soonest resumption of full-scale functioning of Torugart and Irkeshtam border crossing points and noted importance of enhancing effectiveness of green corridors for transit cargo transportation for stimulation of regional trade and economic cooperation.
Kyrgyzstan is also interested in ramped up cooperation in building Digital Silk Road and development of e-commerce, Foreign Minister Kazakbaev said.
The memorandum on creation of format of Central Asia-China Ministerial Meetings, Joint Statement on Cooperation in Covid-19 Response, Joint Statement on Afghanistan, Joint Statement on Further Deepening of Interregional Cooperation were signed following the talks.