Leaders of Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan sign Cholpon-Ata declaration

BISHKEK. July 31 (Interfax) - The presidents of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan have signed a declaration based on the outcomes of their informal consultative meeting held in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan.

"The declaration underscores the high level of trust between the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, their commitment to the principles of peace, good-neighborliness and sustainable development, as well as their intention to further expand regional cooperation," Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said.

It is important to develop transport connectivity and energy cooperation, Japarov said, adding that the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the implementation of the Kambarata-1 HPP project jointly with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are matters of strategic significance.

Japarov praised Turkmenistan's chairmanship in the consultative meeting format and reaffirmed Kyrgyzstan's readiness to contribute to the success of the eighth consultative meeting between the Central Asian and Azerbaijani leaders, due to take place in the city of Awaza, Turkmenistan, on October 8.