Central Asian countries, China intend to boost payments in nat'l currencies

NUR-SULTAN. June 8 (Interfax) - The Central Asian countries and China, during a ministerial meeting in Nur-Sultan, reached a number of agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters after the meeting on Wednesday.

"We have new agreements that could be described briefly as our continuing high-level cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, expanding multilateral cooperation, considering the possibility of creating an adequate financial mechanism, and further expanding settlements in national currencies," Wang said.

The sides also agreed to ensure the security and stability of the China-Europe transport route, to ease customs procedures, to optimize operations of green corridors for cargo transportation, and to resume air services as soon as possible, the diplomat said.

"We are continuing joint efforts against the pandemic, intensifying cooperation in developing vaccines and medicines, working toward creating the China-Central Asia Health Industry Union, as well as opening a traditional medicine center in Central Asia," Wang said.

The Central Asian countries and China also agreed on timely coordination of their positions concerning the situation in Afghanistan, supporting the peaceful reconstruction of the country.

The ministers decided that Uzbekistan would host the 4th ministerial meeting and an international high-level conference on Afghanistan.

In addition, the countries participating in today's meeting agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, science, technology, sport, tourism, and poverty reduction.