Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, has hosted the "OSCE Secretary General's Forum and the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian States" for the first time, CentralAsia.news reports.
During the meeting, the Turkmen Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, emphasized that the event presented a unique opportunity for seeking solutions to issues related to regional security, stability, and sustainability.
"I am confident that this event will also help us engage in constructive dialogue and find innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. We certainly look forward to your ideas and contributions," said Meredov.
The meeting addressed topics related to the security of regional borders, cooperation in transportation and communication, and joint actions in response to climate change. Discussions also included the OSCE budget and other pressing matters.
The Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries attending the event were Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan, Sirojiddin Mukhriddin of Tajikistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan, and Azizbek Madmarov, the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Turkmenistan. They outlined their respective countries' positions regarding the forum's agenda.
OSCE Secretary-General Helga Schmid, speaking at the event, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring regional security.
"In this context, issues related to the security of Central Asia, particularly the situation related to Afghanistan, are very important to us. Together, we can create a special program with specific projects. When we address border issues, we need to work together," said Schmid.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 31, 2023