The event was attended by the heads of the foreign ministries of the Council member countries - Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the Central Asian states - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
The meeting participants discussed the current state and prospects for further strengthening relations between the Council countries and the Central Asian states in the fields of politics, security, trade and investment, education, health, culture, youth and sports.
The head of the delegation of our country, Acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, in his speech stated that the development of relations with the GCC countries is one of the priorities of the foreign policy of the New Uzbekistan.
In order to activate trade and economic ties between the GCC countries and Central Asia, proposals were announced for the creation of a Business Council, the implementation of projects in the field of transport, including the construction of the Termez-Mazar-I-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway, as well as the launch of the format of meetings of transport ministers.
The importance of creating joint clinics, organizing the production of pharmaceuticals, opening branches of universities and vocational education centers, establishing scientific and academic exchange, supporting innovative developments and startups was noted.
In order to preserve the common heritage of the countries of the Council and Central Asia, it was proposed to develop a joint program of events providing for the organization of exhibitions and conferences, digitalization of the manuscript fund and the creation of joint virtual libraries, encouraging direct contacts of museums, conducting historical and archaeological research.
The participants of the meeting were provided with information about the current situation in Afghanistan. The delegations highly appreciated the Uzbek side's efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the implementation of major infrastructure projects in the country. The practical significance of the International Conference "Afghanistan: Security and Economic Development" held in July this year, in which the GCC member countries took an active part, was noted.
It is proposed to hold the second meeting of the Strategic Dialogue "Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf - Central Asia" in 2023 in Samarkand, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan reports.
