Strong commitment to the formation of collective security mechanisms

The leaders of Central Asian countries putting forward specific security proposals demonstrated the region's high degree of mutual confidence, the establishment of collective security mechanisms, and the readiness to share responsibility for Central Asia's stability. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, for example, suggested launching a Dialogue on Security and Cooperation, which Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan welcomed.

The President of Uzbekistan proposed a robust foundation for cooperation in border protection and protecting the territorial integrity of Central Asian republics, as well as cooperative counteraction to mutual security problems and threats. Initiatives were put up, in particular, to construct an Interstate border security and strengthening Program, as well as to establish a regional system of forecasting, preventive, early warning, and cooperative reaction to emergencies.

Taking into account all Central Asian countries' interest in normalizing the situation in Afghanistan and preventing challenges and threats emanating from its territory, it was proposed to establish a Contact Group at the level of special representatives on Afghanistan to establish a coordinated dialogue with the Afghan side on border security, water use, and trade development.

Akramjon Nematov,

first deputy director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan