Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin participated in the 9th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the "Central Asia plus Japan" Dialogue, which was held in Tokyo on December 24, according to the Tajik MFA information department.
In a statement delivered at the meeting, Mr. Muhriddin reportedly noted that Japan is one of the important partners of Tajikistan in the field of development, and Tajikistan’s constructive cooperation with Japan contributes to the implementation of the measures of the Government of Tajikistan to improve the welfare of the people and ensure the sustainable development of the country.
A statement, released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, says the ministers first discussed the Agenda Item 1 "Cooperation between Japan and Central Asia in the Midst of Drastically Changing International Circumstances” and then the Agenda Item 2“Cooperation to address traditional risks of instability.”
In his opening remarks on Agenda Item 1, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who chaired the meeting, reportedly stated that the international community has been affected by Russia's aggression against Ukraine in various aspects, including food and energy supplies, and that the impact is particularly significant in Central Asia, which has close historical and economic ties with Russia. In this context, he stated that Japan would like to promote a new model of development with particular emphasis on “investment in people” and “quality of growth” in order to achieve sustainable development in Central Asia.
The foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries reportedly expressed their interest in further strengthening cooperation with Japan towards sustainable development in their respective countries. They also expressed their interest in the possibility of creating a virtuous circle in which Central Asian human resources can contribute to the economic development of their home countries by utilizing their experience in Japan, including through the use of Japan's Specified Skilled Worker System and Technical Intern Training Program. In addition, they reportedly expressed their interest in cooperation in the field of decarbonization through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). In light of the difficult international situation, the participants also exchanged views on the future direction of cooperation regarding the "Trans-Caspian International Transport Route”, a transportation route that does not pass through Russia, and agreed to hold a symposium on this issue in the first quarter of next year within the framework of the "Central Asia plus Japan" dialogue to further deepen discussions.
While discussing the Agenda Item 2 “Cooperation to Address Traditional Risks of Instability", the participants reportedly agreed on the need to respect the rights of all Afghans, including women and minorities, and to build an inclusive political system, and also expressed their appreciation for the 600 million yen grant announced to promote community empowerment and intra-regional cooperation to prevent violent extremism in five Central Asian countries, as well as for Japan's continued support in the areas of border management and livelihood improvement in border areas. They also expressed their appreciation for Japan's continued support in the areas of border management and livelihood improvement in border areas.
The ministers also exchanged views on agenda item 3, "Regional and International Situation." Minister Hayashi reportedly explained Japan's position on the international situation, including the response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in East Asia, and frankly exchanged views on cooperation between Japan and Central Asia towards maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
The ministers then affirmed the importance of mutual cooperation as partners in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, and agreed on the importance of upholding the UN Charter and other international laws such as the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries, and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
After the meeting, a joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of the six countries.
The next Foreign Ministers' meeting will take place in Kazakhstan.
From the viewpoint that regional cooperation to resolve common regional issues is indispensable for the stability and development of Central Asia, Japan launched a dialogue framework in 2004 to promote such regional cooperation (the first Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in Kazakhstan in August 2004).
