Central Asia border deals open door for Japan to strengthen ties

Central Asia border deals open door for Japan to strengthen ties Central Asia border deals open door for Japan to strengthen ties

TOKYO — Recent moves toward closer integration in Central Asia, 30 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, are likely to attract economic cooperation and investment in the strategically important region.

The five Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan — held their first summit with the European Union on April 4. Speaking at the event, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of summit host Uzbekistan, noted the growing trust and expanding cooperation within the region.