US, Central Asian foreign ministers hold C5+1 summit

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted on Friday a convening of the foreign ministers from five Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

During the C5P+1 virtual summit Blinken "emphasized continued U.S. commitment to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the C5," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

"He also highlighted the five-year anniversary of the C5+1 and the 30-year anniversary of the C5 countries’ independence and our bilateral relations with each country," Price said. "Secretary Blinken and the C5 Foreign Ministers discussed the Afghanistan peace process, COVID-19 recovery, and climate change."

Blinken also announced a two-year program aimed at bolstering women's business associations in the region during the meeting, according to the State Department.

The C5+1 was formed under former President Barack Obama during the 2015 UN General Assembly. It is the US's main dialogue platform with regional states.