DUSHANBE, November 20, 2009, – A ceremony of the launch of the Congressional Caucus on Central Asia was held at the United States Congress on November 18.
The Caucus plans to be engaged in solving issues that have influence on relations of the United States with Central Asia’s states, in particular in providing security and economic development in the region.
It was noted at the Caucus-launch ceremony that with opening of the Northern Distribution Network for transportation of military and non-military cargo to Afghanistan as well as in consideration of energy resources of the region, the United States’ interest in the region was increasing. The launch of the Caucus was caused by this circumstance.
The Caucus is headed by Mr. Eni Faleomavaega, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, Mr. Howard McKeon, chairman the House Armed Services Committee, and a number of other Congressmen.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Faleomavaega noted that he intended to pay an official visit to Tajikistan. In his speech, he drew attention of those present to the main directions of cooperation with Central Asia’s states, both political and economic, in particular security, creation of democratic society, human trafficking, reconstruction of Afghanistan’s economy, enhancement of education and health sectors, attraction of foreign investments for economic development of the Central Asian countries, providing stability in the region, development of democracy and free market trade and economic relations, creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone, and support the observance of human rights.
The ceremony was attended by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert O. Blake, US Ambassador to Kazakhstan Richard Hoagland, senior representatives of a number of the U.S. departments and organizations, as well as representatives of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Washington.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Blake, in particular, noted that the Caucus will play a valuable role to focus greater attention on U.S. relations with the countries of Central Asia at a time when Central Asia is once again at a critical strategic crossroads.
According to him, Central Asia”s economic growth and political development can produce more reliable partners for combating global challenges, from non-proliferation to counter-narcotics to energy security. “Our Central Asian partners already are playing an important role in our efforts to confront violent extremists in Afghanistan,” said he. “The energy resources of Central Asia can be a force for predictability in the global economy, ensuring diversity of sources and markets and transit routes, while at the same time bringing a new sense of economic possibility in the region itself.”
“To find ways to strengthen our ties and broaden our cooperation, we proposed the establishment of a high-level, bilateral mechanism with each Central Asian country, to include a structured, annual dialogue,” Mr. Blake said. According to him, the Annual Bilateral Consultations will cover a full range of issues: political issues; security issues, including counter-narcotics and counter- terrorism; the human dimension, including democratic reform, rule of law, human rights, and relations with NGOs; and economic and development issues, including trade and investment, health, and education.
According to him, the countries of Central Asia have contributed to Coalition efforts in Afghanistan, including supplying much-needed electricity to Kabul, providing foods and medicines, and facilitating the transport of non-lethal supplies through the region into Afghanistan. There is great potential for the Northern Distribution Network to improve transportation infrastructure and stimulate trade routes connecting Central to the growing markets of South Asia, which will have a lasting economic impact.
The United States also has important commercial interests in the region, Blake added. Central Asia possesses significant reserves of oil, gas, and minerals that can help meet growing demand. U.S. energy companies have invested billions to develop hydrocarbon reserves. The energy resources of Central Asia can be a force for predictability in the global economy, providing diversity of sources and transit routes, while also driving economic development in the region itself.
