Uzbekistan: Tashkent hosts C5+1 ministerial of Central Asia states and US
During his visit to Uzbekistan, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on February 3 joined the five foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Tashkent for a minister-level meeting of the C5+1. The six countries reaffirmed their commitment to the C5+1 diplomatic platform and discussed plans for the C5+1 in 2020, including Central Asian contributions to the peace process in Afghanistan, practical next steps in joint border security work, and regional efforts to improve economic and energy connectivity, the U.S. Department of State said.
On the same day in Tashkent, Secretary Pompeo met with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Secretary Pompeo thanked President Mirziyoyev for his leadership in forging a closer, strategic partnership between the United States and Uzbekistan and for advancing a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan. Pompeo underscored the United States’ strong support for Uzbekistan’s reforms, as well as its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting the provision of almost $100 million through U.S. assistance programs designed to support President Mirziyoyev’s reform agenda, according to the U.S. Department of State.
President Mirziyoyev said during the meeting that over the past few years, Uzbek-US trade has doubled in volume. With the participation of leading US companies, promising projects are realized across diverse sectors of the Uzbek economy. Total American investments in Uzbekistan have exceeded US $1 billion, the president’s official website reported.
It was also reported that the American side expressed its intention to provide comprehensive assistance in accelerating the process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
Source: Times CA
