DUSHANBE, 12.05.2021 (NIAT Khovar) – Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin attended the Central Asia — China ministerial meeting, which was held in Xi’an.

The meeting focused on cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring economies, maintaining regional security and enhancing international interaction.

Muhriddin, noted that against the background of the spread of COVID-19, the world community faced serious economic and social difficulties. The created conditions dictate the need for more effective measures to be taken in the framework of the Central Asia-China format to jointly respond to the humanitarian and socio-economic consequences of the pandemic.

Muhriddin called on the states participating to unite in the fight against the consequences of the pandemic by using all existing resources and capabilities.

The ministers expressed gratitude to the government of China for their timely assistance in the fight against COVID-19, and also confirmed their readiness to jointly achieve the final eradication of coronavirus in China and Central Asia.

While touching upon the issues of further development of regional cooperation, Muhriddin noted that it is necessary to expand cooperation in the fields of investment, energy, industry and agriculture, as well as in the transport and communication field.

Stressing the importance of cooperation between the countries of the region in the field of security, the parties noted that for sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan, which are key factors in ensuring security in the region, it is necessary to give priority to the social and economic rehabilitation of this country.

Following the meeting, the Foreign Ministers adopted a Joint Statement of the Central Asia-China Ministerial Meeting, on the further strengthening of interregional cooperation, a Memorandum on the creation of a format for meetings of Central Asia — China Foreign Ministers, a Joint Statement of the Central Asia — China Ministerial Meeting on cooperation in combating COVID-19 and the Central Asia-China Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement on Afghanistan.