The heads of foreign ministries of Central Asian countries and Secretary of State of the United States Antony Blinken in a C5+1 format meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana on Tuesday discussed cooperation on food security and energy, the US State Derpartment reported, citing Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tleuberdi as saying at a joint press conference with the US State Secretary.
Turkmenistan was represented at the meeting by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.
"The C5+1 mechanism has established itself as an effective regional diplomatic platform for promoting economic cooperation, security, as well as sustainable development in Central Asia. During the event, a wide range of issues were discussed, including cooperation on food security, combating terrorism, energy, environment, as well as other pressing issues," Tleuberdi told press conference.
He said Kazakhstan highly appreciates the commitment of the United States to strengthen cooperation with the Central Asian region.
Blinken paid his first official visit to Kazakhstan. He participated in a C5+1 ministerial meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asia and the United States. The US State Secretary also held separate meetings with his Central Asian counterparts, including Rashid Meredov.
Established in 2015, the C5+1 format serves as a multilateral mechanism of interaction between the five Central Asian countries and the US. The dialogue focuses on economic development, regional cooperation and security issues.
