Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have signed an agreement to establish a High-Level Strategic Partnership Council, creating a new institutional framework for strengthening political dialogue and practical cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was signed following a meeting between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, the Uzbek presidential press service reported.

During the meeting, Mirziyoyev congratulated Berdimuhamedow on Turkmenistan’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, and his chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The two leaders focused on further deepening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

They noted positive momentum in trade and economic cooperation, with bilateral trade continuing to grow since the beginning of the year. The Shovot–Dashoguz border trade zone was also highlighted as an operational mechanism for expanding economic ties.

The sides emphasized the importance of adopting a plan to significantly increase mutual trade, as well as a cooperation program covering industry, energy, transport, agriculture and water management.

The program is also expected to involve the regions of both countries, according to the report.

The newly signed agreement on the High-Level Strategic Partnership Council is intended to provide an institutional basis for further political dialogue and expand practical cooperation across priority areas.