ASTANA (AP) – A summit meeting between China, Russia and three Central Asian states ended in the Kazakh capital Astana. The delegations have pledged to boost economic ties, implement measures to reduce poverty and curb corruption. According to the head of the Russian delegation it is impossible to achieve solid regional stability if it is not supported by multilateral economic cooperation.
China’s formerly strained relations with the former Soviet republics have markedly improved and the states are all eager to develop their cooperation, especially in the lucrative energy sector.
A joint communiqué issued after the meeting said the sides welcomed the opportunity to strengthen economic cooperation.