Anthony Blinken in support of freedom Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity During his first visit to the Central Asian country as US Secretary of State
“Sometimes we say those words without meaning. But in times like this Those words resonated even more,” Blinken said during a meeting with Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tiluberdi in the Kazakh capital Astana.
Before this trip to Central Asia President Biden’s administration says It will focus on supporting the independence and sovereignty of five countries in the region: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. and Uzbekistan All of them had been in the Soviet Union and had strong ties with Russia politically, economically, socially and culturally.
On Tuesday, Secretary Blinken is scheduled to hold talks with the C5+1 group, a forum for diplomatic talks between the United States and the five countries. Founded in the year. 2015 Minister Blinken speaks at a meeting with the President of Kazakhstan. Kassim-Jomart Tokayev said he hoped the group’s foreign ministers would work together to build a stronger network in the region.
Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredow and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov participate in the US – Central Asia (C5+1) ministerial meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, February 28, 2023.
Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States Mr Blinken, who was traveling with Minister Blinken, said the war in Ukraine had put more pressure on these countries. “We are seeing higher food and energy prices. Difficulties in exporting goods Delayed recovery from the COVID outbreak and the influx of refugees from Russia. The United States is working to support the people of the region.”
“We don’t want Central Asian countries to choose between the United States and Russia or the United States and China,” said Donald Lu, adding that the political and economic relationship these countries have with the United States is different from the relationship they have. with China and Russia
So far, although Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have avoided condemning Russia for trespassing on Ukraine. But it did not recognize the independence of the territories in Ukraine claimed by Russia either.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi attend the U.S. – Central Asia (C5+1) ministerial meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan, February 28, 2023.
After last year’s war, the United States helped the two countries avoid the fallout from Western sanctions imposed on Russia, such as the conversion of three Russian banks to Kazakhstan entirely.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State also said, “Advancing human rights in Central Asia has always been a priority of the United States. asylum seekers LGBT groups women and girls”
In the past few years US State Department report and international inspection organizations pointing to the widespread problem of human rights violations in the region Including the violation of fundamental freedoms by government officials.
- Source: VOA and AFP
