Creating Central Asian common market plays crucial role in fostering regional integration processes. It was stressed by Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan, at the meeting of the Central Asian Cooperation organisation held in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) on 18 October 2004.

The meeting, that confirmed by its official protocol a full-fledged membership of Russia to the Organisation, was attended by Presidents of Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and also Vice-President of Afghanistan Amin Arsalo as an observer.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov also noted that implementation of the idea on creating common market had a tangible impact for the future of the countries in the region.

This issue was one of the central topics of the meeting. Participants also discussed wide range of questions concerning the development of regional cooperation including trade and economic relations, encouraging dialogue among businessmen of the region, cooperation in water and energy field.

The presidents approved concept of creation of water-energy, food and transport consortiums, and also project of concept on formation of common market in Central Asia and entrusted their governments with preparing corresponding draft agreement.

One of the key issues addressed by the summit was security and stability in the region. In this regard participants of the summit jointly welcomed the initiative put forward by Islam Karimov on preparation of the list of terrorist and extremist organisations banned on the territory of member states of the Central Asian Cooperation Organisation.

The idea behind this proposal is to consolidate and coordinate common efforts to tackle the problem of terrorism and extremism. ?Only by joint efforts and on the basis of common strategy the countries of the region can deal with the challenges and threats on stability and security,? President of Uzbekistan said.

In the joint statement adopted on the results of the summit, the heads of the states stressed the ?importance of joining efforts in fight against international terrorism, religious extremism, drug trafficking and other threats to security?.

Participation of Amin Arsalo, Vice-President of Afghanistan, at the meeting as an observer was a significant step to fully engage Afghanistan into the regional processes.

During the meeting the Presidents welcomed efforts of Afghan leadership on rehabilitation of the country and agreed to assist in implementing long-term programme of socioeconomic rehabilitation of this country and coordinating actions in attraction of Afghanistan to integration processes in the region.

Before the summit, Islam Karimov met his Tajik and Russian counterparts Emomali Rakhmonov and Vladimir Putin to discuss the state and perspectives of bilateral relations.