Central Asian Leaders Optimistic About Expanding Regional Trade

A growing spirit of cooperation underpinned the August 9 gathering of the leaders of all five Central Asia states, along with Caspian neighbor Azerbaijan. “Sustainable development” was the buzzword of the day for participants of the 6th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in the Kazakh capital Astana. “We are jointly shaping a new image of Central Asia as a region of great opportunities, looking to the future,” the gathering’s host, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, told his fellow…