Five Central Asian countries made a statement on creation of nuclear free zone in the region and called other countries, in particular states possessing nuclear weapon, for cooperation.

Experts of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan met in Tashkent city on 7-9 February to approve text of agreement on creation of nuclear free zone in Central Asia.

In their statement, experts praised results of Tashkent meeting and completion of development of agreement text.

They said that the creation of nuclear free zone in Central Asia would promote peace and security in the regional and global level, as well as nuclear disarmament.

The countries call all countries, in particular states possessing nuclear weapons, to cooperation with Central Asian states in creation of nuclear free zone in the region.

It is expected that the agreement will be signed in Semipalatensk of Kazakhstan and the date will be determined through diplomatic channels.

The Uzbek President Islam Karimov initiated creation of Central Asian nuclear free zone and proposed it at the 48th session of UN General Assembly in 1993.