The Secretary of State noted that he plans to undertake a week-long or longer trip to the specified countries. "This is an important step, and we need to work together on this trip," he emphasized.
Rubio also added that the interests of the United States and the Central Asian countries intersect in the areas of economic development, access to markets, and the extraction of natural resources. According to him, the U.S. aims to deepen cooperation both bilaterally and within the C5+1 format.
He pointed out that Central Asia has long remained on the periphery of American foreign policy, but the situation is now changing. "This is an exciting opportunity. Our interests align, especially in the areas of economic growth and sustainable development," Rubio said.
In his opinion, the interest of American companies in the region's resources continues to grow: "We want to help you leverage the wealth of your countries to diversify your economies. We strive to be part of this process."
C5+1 is a diplomatic platform that brings together the U.S. and five Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
