The development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan discussed

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are the closest neighbors, fraternal countries, reliable, time-tested friends and partners.

“I would like to emphasize that we highly appreciate the achieved level of the strategic partnership with Turkmenistan, based on centuries-old friendship, common history and culture, religion, spiritual values and traditions of our peoples. The results of today's talks have once again demonstrated our sincere desire and unwavering commitment to further deepen cooperation. I would like to emphasize that further strengthening of good-neighborly relations with fraternal Turkmenistan is a priority direction of Uzbekistan's foreign policy”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The President of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of the development of Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan relations, especially in the trade-economic sphere. The trade turnover between the two countries has tripled in recent years. Despite the consequences of the pandemic, over the past period of 2021, the volume of mutual trade has increased by twenty-five percent.

In addition, following Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan Economic Forum held during the visit, a solid package of agreements and contracts were signed.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed that the Agreement signed today on the establishment of a border trade zone, as well as an agreement to replace imports from third countries with competitive products produced in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and demand in the markets of both countries, will contribute to the increase in mutual trade.

The main attention was paid to the development of industrial cooperation. The parties agreed to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation and specific projects in energy, agriculture, industry, chemistry, transport and logistics.

Issues of enhancing interregional cooperation were also discussed. The sides agreed that regular direct dialogue between the border regions, as well as the holding of the forum of regions of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on an annual basis, will become a new driver for the growth of economic cooperation. The first meeting in this format will be held next year in Khiva.

The Heads of state confirmed the need to strengthen cooperation in transport. Noting the growth in the volume of mutual cargo transportation, the parties agreed to continue to create favorable conditions for the effective use of transport corridors, including through the implementation of infrastructure projects that will strengthen the connectivity along the North-South and West-East lines.

Water and environmental issues and climate change issues are of crucial importance for the economies of the two countries. In this regard, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted with satisfaction the beginning of the work of the joint Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan commission on water management issues.

Issues of ensuring regional security became an important topic of bilateral negotiations.

Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, on which the sustainable development of the vast Central Asian region largely depends.

In this context, the Heads of state stressed the importance of holding Consultative Meetings of the Heads of Central Asian States regularly, as well as the implementation of the agreements reached during the last meeting in Avaza on August 5-6 this year.

The Leaders of the states also agreed to continue a close dialogue within the framework of regional and international structures.

The importance of continuing exchanges between the cultural, scientific and sports circles of the two countries, as well as holding meetings and forums of the youth of the two countries, close cooperation between youth organizations was noted. This will bring the two fraternal peoples even closer together.

The parties agreed to jointly promote the goals and objectives of medical diplomacy by developing a coordinated approach to ensure the security of the peoples of the two countries and the entire region.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed satisfaction with the results of the negotiations, during which a confidential and constructive exchange of views on a wide range of cooperation took place.

“Uzbekistan is one of the key trading partners of Turkmenistan. The main purpose of the current official visit to Uzbekistan is to demonstrate firm support to the esteemed President, my friend Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as the reforms carried out under his leadership in all spheres of state, socio-political and socio-economic life of the country”, the President of Turkmenistan said.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the warm hospitality and friendly reception provided to Turkmenistan delegation.

UzA