DUSHANBE, February 9, Asia-Plus  -- Deputy Tajik Foreign Minister Salohiddin Nasriddinov is taking part at the second meeting of senior representatives of foreign ministries from all the five Central Asian states and Japan which opened in the Kazakh capital of Astana on February 8.  The meeting is being held within the framework of the “Central Asia+Japan” dialogue initiated by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, former Japan’s Foreign Minister in August 2004.   

According to information from the Tajik MFA, participants at the meeting are exchanging views on a broad range of issues  related to cooperation in fighting terrorism and drug trafficking, developing environmental protection issues, enhancing healthcare and energy sectors, as well as developing trade and investments.   

The meeting participants include representatives from Tajikistan, Kyrzystan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Japan as well as representative from Turkmenistan having a status of observer. 

Former Japan''s Foreign Minister Yokiro Kawaguchi visited Central Asian countries in August 2004 to articulate Tokyo''s new policy toward the Silk Route countries.  Furthermore, the Japanese Foreign Ministry managed to get all five Central Asian states to agree to send their foreign ministers to a meeting with Ms. Kawaguchi in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on August 28 2004.

The dialogue promotes expansion of Japan’s participation in integrating processes in Central Asia and is dedicated to  use investment potential Japan has.