On 17 March, Ahmet Gurbanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, Secretary-General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

The parties discussed the current state and prospects of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the CICA. It was noted that the country has held observer status since 2021 and supports the organisation’s objectives of strengthening peace, security and trust in Asia.

Issues of regional and inter-regional cooperation, including in Central Asia, were considered separately. Turkmenistan’s initiatives to establish a permanent forum on security, peace and development were discussed.

Areas of cooperation in energy, transport and the environment were also touched upon, as well as the development of dialogue between the CICA and the Group of Friends of Neutrality, and the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The parties noted the need to coordinate efforts to stabilise the situation in Afghanistan and ensure food security.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to further develop their partnership within the framework of the CICA.