Azerbaijan and Central Asian Presidents Sign Cholpon-Ata Declaration

Leaders from Central Asia and Azerbaijan convened in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, for an informal consultative meeting, culminating in the signing of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration. The summit, attended by the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, underscored a shared commitment to peace, good neighborliness, and sustainable development.

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In recent years, historical agreements on state borders have been reached, and thanks to the strengthening of mutual trust, regional cooperation has reached a qualitatively new level.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Жапаров, opening the meeting, highlighted significant progress in regional cooperation, attributing it to historical agreements on state borders and increased mutual trust. He expressed gratitude for the countries' support of Kyrgyzstan's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027-2028, emphasizing Kyrgyzstan's intent to consistently promote common Central Asian interests on the international stage.

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Kyrgyzstan's candidacy for a non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for 2027-2028 has been supported by the leaders of the countries in the region, and Kyrgyzstan intends to consistently promote the common interests of Central Asia in the international arena.

Discussions focused on enhancing transport connectivity and energy cooperation. The strategic importance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and the joint implementation of the Kambar-Ata-1 Hydro Power Plant project with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were particularly emphasized. President Жапаров also noted the vast potential for cooperation in tourism, proposing the introduction of a unified tourist visa for foreign citizens visiting Central Asian countries.

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The strategic importance of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, as well as the importance of implementing the Kambar-Ata-1 HPP project together with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The leaders exchanged views on pressing issues, including deepening cooperation, developing transport and logistics, adapting to climate change, and ensuring regional energy security. The meeting concluded with the signing of the Cholpon-Ata Declaration, which President Жапаров stated reflects the high level of mutual trust between Central Asian nations and Azerbaijan, their dedication to peace and good neighborliness, and their aspiration for further regional cooperation. Kyrgyzstan also affirmed its readiness to cooperate in successfully holding the eighth Consultative Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan in Avaza, Turkmenistan, in 2026.

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Kyrgyzstan's initiative to introduce a unified tourist visa for foreign citizens visiting Central Asian countries, and the importance of developing agreed-upon solutions in this direction.