On Tuesday March 9, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin had telephone conversation with his Kyrgyz counterpart Ruslan Kazakbayev, according to the Tajik MFA information department.

The two reportedly discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

A special attention was given to the issue of delimitation and demarcation of the mutual border, the Tajik MFA information department says.  The ministers reportedly emphasized the importance of full use of the potential of the intergovernmental commission on delimitation and demarcation of the mutual border and fulfillment of obligations previously assumed by the parties that will ensure the prompt resolution of border issues.

Muhriddin and Kazakbayev also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including collaboration between the two countries within international and regional organizations.   

Muhriddin invited his Kyrgyz counterpart to participate in the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) that will take place in the Tajik capital this month. 

Recall, Dushanbe is expected to host a senior officials meeting and the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process on March 29 and 30.

The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process is an initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey, which was officially launched at a conference hosted by Turkey in Istanbul on November 2, 2011.  Since then, Afghanistan supported by fourteen Participating Countries of the Heart of Asia Region and 16 Supporting Countries beyond the region as well as 12 Regional and International Organizations is leading and coordinating this Process.  It is a platform for promoting regional security, economic and political cooperation centered on Afghanistan through dialogue and a set of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

The Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process aims at promoting and strengthening peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and in the region through confidence building and enhancing regional cooperation among 15 countries of the Heart of Asia Region.  The HoA-IP has become one of the most interactive voluntary state-groupings in the HoA Region.

It brings Afghanistan's immediate and extended neighbors as well as international supporters together through the following focus areas: 1) political consultations; 2) implementation of the CBMs; and 3) cooperation with regional organizations.