Politics

Tokayev urges Central Asian countries to strengthen cooperation

Nur-Sultan, Jul 21 (EFE).- Kazakhstan’s president Kasim-Yomart Tokayev on Thursday urged leaders of Central Asian countries to strengthen cooperation amid the current “turbulent” and unstable global economy caused by the Russian aggression of Ukraine.

“Today the most important mission in Central Asia is to build bridges between the competing poles in global politics and economy,” Tokayev said during the Fourth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia at the Cholpon-Ata resort town in Kyrgyzstan.

“Sooner or later this period of geopolitical confrontation will end but the bridges built will remain,” the president added.

Addressing his counterparts from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, Tokayev said Central Asian countries were proving themselves “worthy” during a “critical period of growing international tensions”.

The Kazakh president added that the countries should strengthen their cooperation in security and diplomacy and suggested China and Russia should be invited to future regional meetings.

Tokayev also advocated increasing and improving transit in the region.

“Even just a glance at the map of Central Asia shows its unique geographical location at the crossroads of Russia, China, South Asia, the Middle East and the South Caucasus.

“In the new geopolitical realities, the role of our region in promoting and developing transcontinental trade is growing rapidly,” he said. EFE

kk-mos/mp/ks

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