The agenda of the online meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue included important issues of regional cooperation and coordinated interaction, taking into account the current situation in the world caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The meeting participants underlined the efficiency of this format of diversified cooperation, based on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity and all-round support in key areas of partnership that meets common interests.
Implementing a constructive foreign-policy strategy under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, neutral Turkmenistan takes a proactive position in international cooperation, including through the “Central Asia plus Japan” Dialogue, which has acquired a systemic and effective character.
As noted by the Turkmen side, since declaring the dialogue in 2004, this initiative has developed significantly.Within the framework of the dialogue, the topics of discussion have significantly expanded.
At present, the dialogue covers important issues related to ensuring regional and global security, sustainable development, creating favorable conditions for productive trade and economic ties, strengthening cultural and humanitarian contacts.
It was emphasized that today, when the world community is fighting against a new dangerous infection, this format of communication, which unites the Central Asian states as a strategically significant region of the planet and Japan, can’t keep out of solving the most acute problem faced by humanity.
Based on the necessity to develop a global response to the challenges of our time, it is advisable to intensify the process of consolidating the efforts of countries to counter the pandemic.
In this regard, Turkmenistan has initiated drafting a Programme Document in the format of the Central Asia + Japan Dialogue, which includes the basic principles of joint efforts of the dialogue member states in the fight against coronavirus infection and specific measures aimed at preventing and treating the diseases it causes.
On behalf of our country, special gratitude was also expressed to the Japanese side for their willingness to provide a grant medical project within the framework of the relevant Programme.
It was noted that Turkmen doctors highly appreciated the knowledge and experience gained in the course of numerous multilateral and bilateral videoconference meetings with leading Japanese specialists.The meeting participants also focused on the agenda of the upcoming 8th meeting of the Dialogue "Central Asia + Japan".
In particular, the possibilities of developing and adopting the Concept of Partnership of the participating states in the sphere of security, a new Platform for the development of economic cooperation, preparation and discussion of the Roadmap on cooperation in the field of high technologies, as well as the Programme of Cooperation in the social and cultural sphere were considered.