DUSHANBE, 29.04.2016 (NIAT Khovar). First Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Nizomiddin Zohidi participated in the Fifth Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) member states in Beijing.

The meeting was opened by the President of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, who drew the attention of participants to the priorities of the Chinese presidency in the CICA.

China is always committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea. While China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, rights and interests, it is willing to peacefully solve the disputes through friendly consultation and dialogue with the countries directly involved, Xi said.

The meeting was chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, attended by representatives of 33 Member States and observers of the CICA, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, such as the UN, OSCE, SCO, OIC, ECO, and others.

During his speech Zohidi set out on the role of CICA confidence-building measures in various fields, and in the establishment of an open, impartial and confidential dialogue between the countries and peoples of the Asian continent.

Among the key issues that require close and committed cooperation within the CICA, it has been named the restoration and consolidation of peace and stability in various regions of Asia, to promote the process of peace and stability in Afghanistan, strengthening the economic component of relations between the CICA Member States, as well as the development of inter-civilization dialogue, aimed at promoting tolerance and the preservation of cultural diversity in Asia.

The meeting ended with the adoption of the final declaration of the Fifth Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CICA member states.

The CICA was established in 1992 as a forum for dialogue and consultation on security issues in Asia. It has 26 member countries and 12 countries and international organizations as observers.