Central Asian and Azerbaijani Leaders Call for Deeper Cooperation in Cholpon-Ata Declaration

Dragon Media News Desk

Leaders of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in trade, transport, energy, digital technology and investment.

The commitments were made during the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, held on Friday in the Kyrgyz town of Cholpon-Ata. Participants identified mutual trust, good-neighbourly relations and shared development as the principal foundations of regional cooperation.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said regional cooperation had reached new heights in recent years following historic agreements on state borders and the strengthening of mutual trust. He added that Kyrgyzstan would continue promoting the common interests of Central Asia on international platforms.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for stronger coordination within intergovernmental organizations and the “Central Asia Plus” format to reinforce the region’s international standing.

He said substantive discussions were needed on expanding trade and transport connectivity, developing industrial and technological chains, creating shared digital services and establishing new investment platforms.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted that growing international interest in Central Asia was creating new opportunities to expand trade and economic relations, attract investment and secure advanced technologies.

He said the development of transport corridors and logistics systems, together with cooperation in energy, industry, digitalization and food security, remained among the region’s shared priorities.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described relations with Central Asian countries as one of Azerbaijan’s principal foreign-policy priorities. He pledged that Azerbaijan would make every effort to expand multidimensional cooperation and bring the countries and peoples of the region closer together.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration. According to President Japarov, the declaration reflects the high level of trust between the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, as well as their shared commitment to peace, good-neighbourliness and sustainable development.