Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov (C) speaks during the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, July 31, 2026. An informal meeting of leaders from Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held on Friday in the town of Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan, with participants calling for stronger regional cooperation. (Office of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic/Handout via Xinhua)

BISHKEK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- An informal meeting of leaders from Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held on Friday in the town of Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan, with participants calling for stronger regional cooperation.

At the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov noted that regional cooperation has reached new heights in recent years, facilitated by historic agreements reached on state borders and strengthened mutual trust.

Kyrgyzstan remains committed to consistently promoting the common interests of Central Asia on the international stage, Japarov added.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for stronger coordination within intergovernmental organizations and the "Central Asia Plus" format to strengthen the region's international standing.

He noted that further steps to strengthen trade and transport connectivity, expand industrial and technological chains, develop shared digital services, and launch investment platforms require substantive consideration.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon highlighted the growing international interest in Central Asia, noting that it creates new opportunities to expand trade and economic ties and attract investment and technologies.

He stressed that the development of transport corridors and logistics, along with cooperation in energy, industry, digitalization and food security, remains among the region's shared priorities.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that relations with the countries of Central Asia are a foreign policy priority for his country, vowing that Azerbaijan will make every effort to further enhance cooperation and bring the countries and peoples of the region closer together.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration. Japarov said the declaration reflects the high level of trust among the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, their shared commitment to the principles of peace, good-neighborliness and sustainable development. ■

This photo taken on July 31, 2026 shows a scene of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan. An informal meeting of leaders from Central Asia and Azerbaijan was held on Friday in the town of Cholpon-Ata in Kyrgyzstan, with participants calling for stronger regional cooperation. (Office of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic/Handout via Xinhua)