On the 6th of March 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the Regional Technical Groups meeting of Confidence Building Measures (RI-CBM) “Regional infrastructures” of the Istanbul Process, supported by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
The event was attended by representatives of the participating states of the Istanbul Process, as well as regional and international organizations.
During the meeting, representatives of the participating States of the Istanbul Process and international stakeholders presented reports on the implementation of the Regional infrastructures CBM plan.
In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan noted that Turkmenistan is firmly attached to the principle of peaceful, political settlement of situation in Afghanistan. He also expressed hope that current meeting will serve as a positive impulse for further advancement of goals and objectives of joint cooperation in the framework of providing assistance to strengthening of security, stability and economic progress in Afghanistan.
“We have gathered here today to discuss the progress of infrastructure projects implemented by all stakeholders of the RI-CBM,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “The OSCE stands ready to employ its comprehensive security instruments to maintain a sustainable dialogue on the existing and planned infrastructure projects and to facilitate discussions in the areas pertinent to the RI-CBM, such as security of regional infrastructure and trade facilitation on new trade and transport routes”.
The participants stressed the importance of the effective implementation of various large-scale and local economic projects in the region for fostering socio-economic stability, security and further prosperity of the “Heart of Asia” region. The discussions also addressed the role of international and regional organizations in promoting infrastructure projects in the energy sector on the basis of partnership and investment climate.
