In the framework of participation in the plenary session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will take part in the first «C5+1» summit in New York – writes Information agency «Dunyo» of Tashkent
The «C5+1» format is a regular multilateral dialog between Central Asian countries and the United States. The first meeting of the foreign ministers of the region and the United States took place in November 2015 in Samarkand, marking the beginning of this dialog.
The aim of the format is to maintain a continuous exchange of views on topical issues, as well as to improve regional trade, strengthen transportation and energy ties, develop business climate, combat environmental challenges, counter extremism, and expand humanitarian ties.
The first ministerial meeting of the «C5+1» resulted in the adoption of a «Joint Declaration of Partnership and Cooperation,» which notes the U.S. commitment to support the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Central Asian states and the willingness of the participating countries to maintain regular communications.
To date, 12 ministerial meetings have taken place. In September 2021, ministers from the «C5+1» country met for the first time to discuss climate and environmental issues.
The «C5+1» is implementing projects aimed at developing entrepreneurship, improving transportation and trade corridors, developing the energy of the future and supporting national climate change adaptation plans.
Implementation of these projects is carried out in the form of seminars, conferences and trainings. In April 2022, in order to institutionalize interaction in the «C5+1» format, the Secretariat of this platform started its work. Its main goal is to coordinate interaction within the framework of the «C5+1» format, to solve organizational issues of the events, as well as to prepare proposals for the development of cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the United States.
To discuss cooperation in specific areas within the framework of «C5+1», annual meetings of working groups are held in three areas – economy, environmental protection and energy, and security.
Given that Central Asia has been identified by Uzbekistan as a foreign policy priority, interaction within the framework of the «C5+1» format is important, as it is a significant factor directly influencing positive integration processes in the region.
In this context, it cannot be overlooked that along with effective interaction within this format, Uzbek-American bilateral cooperation has been consistently strengthening. The first official visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the United States on May 15-17, 2018, laid the foundation for a new era of strategic partnership between the two countries.
Over the past six years, the exchange of high-level delegations, interagency and interparliamentary ties, and trade, economic and investment cooperation have intensified.
The U.S. House of Representatives has formed and actively operates the Caucus on Uzbekistan, an informal group of congressmen who advocate the intensification of U.S.-Uzbek relations.
The number of enterprises with the participation of American investors is growing in Uzbekistan. Examples of successful economic cooperation include the active work in our country of such concerns and companies as «General Electric», «General Motors», «Hyatt», «John Deere», «Boeing», «Honeywell», «Coca Cola», «Calatrava», «Silverleaf» and others.
The United States recognizes the progress made by Uzbekistan in the protection of human rights. Thanks to the fundamental reforms carried out in our country, the so-called «cotton boycott» by the NGO Cotton Campaign against Uzbekistan has been lifted.
Nowadays, thousands of Uzbek people work and study in the United States. They have the opportunity to cherish their customs and culture and to interact cohesively through diaspora organizations and cultural associations.
Strengthening intercultural dialogue is facilitated by twinning relations between the cities of Tashkent and Seattle, Bukhara and Santa Fe, Zarafshan and Clinton.
In short, Uzbek-American relations are consistently developing, and Uzbekistan is ready to expand and strengthen this interaction not only in bilateral but also in multilateral formats. Just recently, the Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia was held in Dushanbe. Today, the leaders of the region are ready to discuss issues of further development of cooperation with the United States for the benefit of strengthening the potential of Central Asia for its prosperity.
