Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Presidents Say They’re Pleased with the Results of the Talks, Note A Great Potential for Bilateral Cooperation

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov shared their assessments of the results of the negotiations at a meeting with the media.

The President of Uzbekistan has noted that today’s State visit of the President of Turkmenistan is intended to become an important milestone in the history of the centuries-old brotherhood of our peoples, based on the strong ties of friendship, good neighborliness, trust and mutual support.

«Today we have held meaningful, open and thorough talks with Serdar Gurbanguliyevich, which shall certainly bring our cooperation to a new, even higher level», the Leader of Uzbekistan has said. «We have discussed in detail all the topical issues on the bilateral agenda. We have exchanged assessments of the current state of cooperation and noted a great progress. We have identified the priorities for further joint work in the political, trade, economic, transport, water, energy and humanitarian spheres».

The President of Uzbekistan has emphasized that further strengthening of comprehensive cooperation with Turkmenistan is an absolute priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.

The invaluable contribution of the Chairman of the Khalq Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to strengthening the multifaceted relations between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was particularly noted.

«Uzbekistan is sincerely glad that today the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov continues this wise policy», the President of Uzbekistan said.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev has also stated that during the talks the sides discussed in detail all the issues in key areas of cooperation between the two countries.

An important result became the adoption of decisions on several promising areas, the implementation of industrial cooperation projects, an increase in mutual trade turnover, the establishment of a border trade zone, and the opening of a joint project office.

The agreements have been reached to enhance the mutually beneficial cooperation in the automotive, chemical, electrical, textile, food industries and agriculture.

For these purposes, a medium-term program of trade and economic cooperation and the development of industrial cooperation has been adopted.

The development of a systemic interregional dialogue is intended to give a new dynamic to the Uzbek-Turkmen partnership. The first Forum of Regions successfully held in Bukhara the day before has clearly demonstrated the great untapped potential. A solid package of contracts and agreements for over $450 million was signed.

The effective cooperation between the Parliaments – the Oliy Majlis (The National Parliament’) and Milli Gengesh was noted with satisfaction.

The negotiations traditionally focused on the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. An agreement was reached on the active development of scientific and academic exchanges, support for innovation programs.

It was decided to continue holding the Culture and Cinema Days of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on a reciprocal basis, to promote joint projects in tourism.

During the talks, the issues of strengthening security and stability in the region were discussed. The special importance of the platform for the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of Central Asian States was noted.

«I am convinced that the deepening of regional processes and multilateral cooperation in Central Asia will contribute to the progress and prosperity of all countries in the region», the President of Uzbekistan has underscored.

The sides have exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan. The Presidents confirmed their readiness to continue to work together for the socio-economic recovery of this country.

The importance of continuing the active contacts and mutual support at the UN institutions, the CIS, the OIC, the Organization of Turkic States and other structures was emphasized.

The President of Uzbekistan has thanked the Turkmen side for the active support in the development and adoption of a special resolution of the UN General Assembly on strengthening the connectivity of Central and South Asia.

The President of Uzbekistan invited a Turkmen colleague to take part at the upcoming regular SCO Summit in Samarkand as an honored guest.

The multifaceted Turkmen-Uzbek relations are dynamically developing today. Uzbekistan is our important political partner. Today, the issues of trade and economic cooperation were discussed in detail, and mutual readiness for its expansion and diversification was confirmed», Serdar Berdimuhamedov has noted.

In conclusion, the Presidents have confirmed that they were determined to develop and expand a full-scale strategic partnership, fill it with qualitatively new substance, achieve concrete and breakthrough results in the name of progress and prosperity of the two fraternal countries and peoples.