On May 1, 2017, the 6th meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the countries participating in the Dialogue "Central Asia + Japan" was held in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Ambassadors of these countries accredited in Ashgabat, representatives of local and foreign media participated in its work.
The dialogue "Central Asia + Japan" was initiated by the Japanese side in 2004 with the aim of promoting dialogue between Japan and the Central Asian region as a whole and is a framework for free cooperation. Turkmenistan was Chairman of the Dialogue "Central Asia + Japan" for 2015-2016.
The welcoming speech was delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, as well as the heads of delegations of the countries of Central Asia and Japan. In his welcoming speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov said: "Over the 13-year period of its existence, this format of multilateral cooperation has demonstrated its high efficiency and usefulness. It has become broader and now covers the main areas of cooperation of the states of Central Asia with Japan. "
Within the framework of the dialogue, the representatives of the parties discussed issues of joint cooperation covering the entire range of interstate relations. There was also an exchange of views on topical issues of ensuring regional security and sustainable development, creating favorable conditions for effective partnership in the trade and economic sphere, and active exchange in the cultural and humanitarian area.
Participants of the meeting expressed their commitment to Turkmenistan's initiatives on the creation and development of transit corridors at the regional and global levels, cooperation in combating terrorism and drugs, and strengthening border control. It should also be noted that all activities were carried out on the basis of the Concept of Turkmenistan's chairmanship, the main theme of which was "Cooperation through the implementation of specific projects, taking into account the interests of all the participating countries of the Dialogue."
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the participating countries, with a view to further deepening regional practical cooperation, adopted the Roadmap for Regional Cooperation in Transport and Logistics.
As a result of the 6th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Dialogue "Central Asia + Japan", the Joint Statement "Long-term cooperation and further strengthening of relations between the countries of Central Asia and Japan" was signed.
At the end of the meeting, the press conference of the Foreign Ministers of the countries of Central Asia and Japan was held in front of the media.
