President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov noted at the V Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) that Kyrgyzstan has close trade and economic ties with the countries of the region. Press service of the head of state reported.
There is an increase in foreign trade volumes and the development of investment cooperation. An analysis of the structure of exports and imports of Central Asian states in mutual trade and in trade with third countries shows the presence of large unused potential.
«Our union must strive to find ways and means to ensure better functioning and greater openness of markets for goods and services, greater diversification of mutual trade, which will create a common economic interest. Our region should become a link between North and South, West and East, while increasing its transport and communication potential and the ability to access sea ports,» Sadyr Japarov said.
He noted that only political will is needed to remove barriers and obstacles, improve border crossing and transit procedures.
«As an example, I can note the recent opening of two checkpoints between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, which made it possible to increase several times the flow of citizens of the two countries crossing the border using internal documents. In this regard, I believe that optimizing the flow of goods and services across the borders of Central Asia requires simplifying customs procedures and creating efficient transport and logistics networks. The development and modernization of transport infrastructure, including roads, railways and air links, is necessary to improve the movement of goods and services in the region,» the president said.
He also said that peace and stability in Afghanistan are one of the priority conditions for Kyrgyzstan in the regional security system. Events taking place in and around this country have a direct impact on the situation in the region.
Kyrgyzstan is deeply interested in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and is ready to develop good neighborly relations with this state.
«We respect the right of the Afghan people to determine the future of their country based on their historical experience, culture, traditions and national identity. Kyrgyzstan is actively working on key issues on the Afghan agenda, takes an active part in the implementation of projects and programs of international and regional organizations in the Afghan direction, as well as in the work of dialogue platforms aimed at quickly resolving the situation in Afghanistan,» Sadyr Japarov said.
He considers the situation in Syria as another threat, where people from Central Asian countries also take part in the ranks of international terrorist structures. They continue to remotely recruit their compatriots.
«The Kyrgyz side considers it important to further expand the forms and areas of cooperation in the field of ensuring security in the region and countering such modern threats as terrorism, extremism, cross-border crime, drug trafficking and cybercrime. «It is extremely important to develop and ensure a system of collective information security and increase efforts to jointly counter cyber threats and prevent the use of the Internet space and social media by international terrorist, religious extremist and other hostile organizations,» the head of state said.
He also focused on the fact that cultural and humanitarian ties always remain the basis of cooperation between the peoples of Central Asia.
«I am confident that our common efforts in modern conditions will bear fruit and we will be able not only to contribute to the further enrichment of our cultures, but also to emphasize their true identity on the world stage. This year we celebrate the 95th anniversary of our fellow countryman, the outstanding writer Chingiz Aitmatov, whose work is valued and revered above all by our peoples. I express my deep gratitude that the countries of Central Asia will host ceremonial events dedicated to this anniversary,» Sadyr Japarov emphasized.
In conclusion, he once again noted the importance of the consultative meetings of the heads of state of Central Asia.
«This gives us the opportunity to share our vision and positions on current issues of a bilateral and multilateral nature, find common approaches and join forces to find mutually acceptable solutions. I believe that there are no unsolvable issues; political will is needed,» the president concluded.
