DUSHANBE, February 18, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Central Asian deputy foreign ministers have met in Almaty to discuss issues relation to expansion of the regional cooperation.

According to the Un Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA), the second annual Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan on February 17.

Tajikistan was represented by the First Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahmoudjon Sobirov

Organized by UNRCCA, the vent was aimed at advancing regional cooperation and discussing ways in which UNRCCA could assist the countries of Central Asia in addressing threats to stability and sustainable development.

The participants discussed initiatives related to the fight against trans-boundary criminality, the situation in Afghanistan, the management of water and energy resources, environmental security and outlined the main priorities for cooperation in 2010. They also reviewed the activities implemented by UNRCCA with the countries of Central Asia in 2009.

The importance of securing enhanced regional security through dialogue, preventive diplomacy initiatives, and continued cooperation with the United Nations and regional organizations was confirmed

Support was expressed for the efforts of the Regional Centre to create conditions conducive for achieving durable solutions to regional challenges, on the basis of mutual benefit for the Central Asian countries and principles of international law.