DUSHANBE, 04.12.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. On December 1, “Heart of Asia” – Istanbul Process 7th Ministerial Conference under the motto “Security and Economic Connectivity towards a Strengthened Heart of Asia Region” has been held in Baku was attended by the supporting countries and international organizations of the “Heart of Asia — Istanbul Process”. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani addressed the Conference with a welcoming speech.

According to the MFA Information Department, the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nizomiddin Zohidi took part in the conference.

During the Conference, the implementation of the CASA-1000 project, which will play an effective role in the sustainable socio-economic development of the countries of Central and South Asia, were highly appreciated by the participants. It was also stressed that the CASA-1000 project not only promotes social and economic development, but will also connect the countries of the region with a powerful energy bridge that will expand cooperation in other spheres of life in the whole of Central and South Asia region.

Addressing the Conference, N. Zohidi set out the principled position of the Republic of Tajikistan the need to establish peace and stability in the neighboring country. In this regard, Tajikistan’s efforts aimed at involving Afghanistan in regional integration through the implementation of transport and communication projects that create the necessary conditions for addressing the socio-economic problems of Afghanistan and the whole region were emphasized.

The offer of Government of the Republic of Tajikistan to host the 9th of the Ministerial Conference of the “Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process” in Dushanbe in 2019 was made at the conference. The initiative of Tajikistan was unanimously supported by the participants of the conference. At the conclusion of the conference the Baku Declaration was adopted.