Joint statement of heads of states of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan

of July 5-6, 2003

On July 5-6, 2003 in the city of Almaty the meeting of heads of states of the Central Asian Cooperation Organization (TsAS Organization) took place.

Presidents of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan,

- having discussed questions of development of multilateral regional cooperation within the TsAS Organization, situation in the region and around it, other urgent international problems;

- proceeding from established practices of the open, constructive dialogue reached the level of mutual understanding and mutual trust;

- relying on the general aspiration to develop multilateral cooperation on the principles of authentic equality, mutual assistance, respect of interests of each other and in the spirit of traditional friendship and neighborliness between the people of Central Asia;

- confirming aspiration to further expansion of regional cooperation on all range of the interstate relations for the benefit of providing the world, stability and safety in the region;

- attaching special significance to deepening of interaction in fight against the international terrorism, political and religious extremism, drug trafficking, illegal migration and cross-border organized crime;

- recognizing paramount importance of further deepening of economic interaction, full-blooded use of natural and economic capacity of member countries, development of transport communications of Central Asia;

- having considered organization activity results "the Central Asian Cooperation" from the moment of its transformation,

declare the following:

I

Heads of states consider that the Central Asian Cooperation Organization became important institute of regional interaction, essential element of forming of effective system of ensuring stability in Central Asia and makes the contribution to efforts of the international community on counteraction to threats and challenges of the modern world.

The TsAS organization created based on TsAES became more democratic and flexible, the circle of cases in point extended. Along with discussion of economic problems, in its framework open and confidential dialogue on all pressing problems of the region is carried out.

In 2002 four summits of presidents of the countries of the TsAS Organization at which topical issues of regional development and international policy were discussed took place.

The openness and readiness for constructive cooperation with other countries and the international organizations became the firm principles of the TsAS Organization.

Heads of states highly appreciated results of the first meeting of parliamentarians of state members of the TsAS Organization which took place in the city of Tashkent on November 18, 2002 on which questions of formation and development of parliamentarism in the states of the region, perspective of development of inter-parliamentary cooperation, the new forms of interstate interaction aimed at strengthening of the world and stability in the region were discussed. Heads of states note relevance of the made decision on creation of institute of inter-parliamentary cooperation - Meetings of parliamentarians of state members of the TsAS Organization.

Heads of states, having considered inventory progress of the contractual legal base TsAES and the termination of activities of TsABSiR Ltd, charged to the governments to complete this work until the end of 2003.

Heads of states noted importance of the fastest solution of all complex of the questions connected with legal registration of interstate borders.

II

Development of multidimensional trade and economic cooperation is the priority direction within the TsAS Organization.

In this regard heads of states noted importance and usefulness of the business forums which took place on November 28-29, 2002 and on May 6, 2003 in the cities of Tashkent and Osh.

Meetings of representatives of business community and entrepreneurs once again confirmed relevance of development and realization of joint projects, harmonizations of the legislation, simplification of rules of trade, strengthening of direct contacts between the companies and businessmen, investment attraction in economy of the Central Asian states.

Heads of states charged to the governments to take necessary measures for practical implementation of the agreements reached during the business forums.

Heads of states emphasize importance of intensification of process of creating favorable conditions for trade and investments, adjustment of cooperation in bank and financial spheres.

Heads of states of the TsAS Organization charged to the governments to accelerate study of draft agreements on creation of the international hydro-electric, transport and food consortia.

In this regard the importance for attraction to the region of foreign investments and implementation of large-scale international projects, first of all in hydro-electric and communication spheres, has carrying out in Tashkent in May, 2003 of annual meeting of the EBRD and participation of country leaders of TsAS in it, and also the annual meeting of the countries which are part of Islamic development bank coming in September.

Heads of states made the decision to appeal to the international financial institutions, including to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Islamic development bank with request to render assistance in development of the concept of activities of hydro-electric, transport and food consortia.

Taking into account enclave nature of the region special value has development of transport infrastructure, providing exit of member countries to seaports and on the world market, including with use of Aktau port.

Heads of states noted that the Central Asian region having owing to the geographical location huge transit potential shall become component of intercontinental transport corridors, and agreed to give to the governments instructions on strengthening of coordination on this direction.

III

Heads of states consider important broad interaction of the states of the TsAS Organization in counteraction to general threats and challenges, such as terrorism, extremism, illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substances, illegal migration, transnational organized crime.

In this regard heads of states emphasized importance of the meeting of heads of security services and law enforcement agencies of gosudarstvchlen of the TsAS Organization which took place on August 20-22, 2002 in Tashkent and charged to heads of the specified structures to hold similar meetings on regular basis.

Heads of states especially noted that strengthening of the world and stability in Afghanistan, establishment of good-neighbourhood with this country are equitable to radical interests of the countries of Central Asia. Common efforts on economic revival and infrastructures of Afghanistan will make powerful contribution to ensuring regional security and stability.

Proceeding from this head of states expressed support to H. Karzai's efforts on post-war recovery of the country and noted importance of involvement of Afghanistan in processes of regional cooperation of Central Asia.

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