Speaking to the press after Turkmen – Uzbek high-level talks in Ashgabat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the current meeting is summoned to give strong quality impulse to cooperation between the countries and lay fundamental basis of the dialog for long-term strategic perspective.

The President of Turkmenistan highlighted that this was the first official visit of Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev to Turkmenistan as a Head of Uzbek State. During the negotiations, the condition of bilateral relations was discussed and exchange of the opinions on number of international issues presenting mutual interest took place. Large package of bilateral documents defining our cooperation in political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres was signed.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the confidence that the meeting with the President of Uzbekistan confirmed mutual willingness and endeavour to steadfast consolidation of partnership in different directions and presence of real opportunities in both countries.

The Leader of the Nation noted that special importance was attached during the talks to consolidation of peace, stability and security. The sides agreed on close cooperation in bilateral format and under international organizations in solution of such issues as counteract of international terrorism, extremism, transboundary organized crime and illegal drugs trafficking.

Special attention was paid to consolidation of peace and security in the Central Asia. Today, cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan stands as main component of this process. The positions are invariable in this issue, both countries stands for establishment of strong and efficient mechanisms, which would provide peaceful and stable development of the Central Asia, – President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

Confirming the community of approaches to solution of topical issues of regional politics, the sides agreed to continue active cooperation with largest international organizations, first with the United Nations and number of regional structures, – the Head of the State mentioned.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized the similarity of approaches of both sides to solution of Afghan range of problems and common opinion that the regulation of the situation in Afghanistan is achievable only by peaceful and political means based on broad all national dialog. Peace making potential of international community and first of the UN in Afghanistan have to be implemented more actively and widely.

The Leader of the nation focused the attention that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also stand for unremitting and efficient international support of the Government of Afghanistan and assistance to efficient integration of the State into regional and international economic processes, especially in such spheres as energy and transport. Humanitarian component and assistance in training of qualified national personnel in different segments of economy and social sphere is necessary aspect of support of Afghan people.

The Head of the State noted that, besides the issues of peace and security, the countries would continue coordination of efforts in such important direction of global agenda as sustainable development and its components like energy security, development of international transport and transit communication, ecology and environment protection.

With regards to sustainable energy, this is about participation of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in realization of large-scale energy projects in the region. There is the project of Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan – China gas line among them, the Turkmen Leader noted, having highlighted the willingness to activate cooperation under the project of electrical energy supply from the Central to South Asia en route Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan – Tajikistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan.

Cooperation in transport sphere will be continued for establishment of strong and modern infrastructure, which would provide the unification of transport systems of the Central Asia, Europe, Middle East, – President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, having noted the willingness of Turkmenistan for the joint work to establish the corridor en route Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Caspian Sea – Southern Caucasus with the entry to the Black Sea ports of Georgia, Turkey, Romania and other states
The Head of the State mentioned that agreement on activation of practical cooperation in realization of five-sided agreement on establishment of international transport and transit corridor from the Central Asia to the Middle and Near East signed in Ashgabat in 2011, where Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated, was achieved.

Speaking of the negotiations, the Head of the State paid special attention to ecological range of problems, improvement of the activity of the International Fund for Saving of the Aral Sea. Having undertaken the responsibilities of chairing country of the Fund, Turkmenistan developed relative Concept reflecting priority plans of joint activity of member states. The agreement on close cooperation with Uzbekistan for proper efficiency and specifics of the Fund activity was achieved.

Discussing the matters of trade and economic cooperation, the sides came to common opinion on the necessity of consolidation of interrelations in this sphere according to the existing strong industrial and infrastructural potential of both countries, – the Leader of the nation noted, giving large role to this process of partnership between business communities.

The President of Turkmenistan named agricultural sphere among the directions where the countries actively cooperate for many years, having expressed the gratitude to Uzbek side for systematic delivery of agricultural equipment. Recently, effective trade of automobiles built by the enterprises in Uzbekistan, is undergoing. There is positive experience of work in production of chemical industry. At the same time, there are large opportunities for considerable increase of bilateral trade turnover, – the Leader of the nation highlighted.

The President of Turkmenistan noted that during the meeting, the agreement on continuation of cooperation in humanitarian sphere, in particular in culture and establishment of the conditions for contacts of the citizens of the countries, was achieved.

Both countries have one history, one culture, similar traditions and customs, the head of the State mentioned, having expressed the confidence that traditional friendly and fraternal relations between the peoples would continue to be developed and consolidated. The President of Turkmenistan emphasized that such forms of relations can be very different like Days of Culture, Days of Cinematography, forums of creative and scientific intellectuals, exhibitions and conferences. Their main purpose to protect and multiply historical, spiritual and cultural heritage of the ancestors.

The Head of the State highlighted the fact that Uzbekistan is one of the most important partners for Turkmenistan, relations with which are built for strategic perspective. The president of Turkmenistan called equality, mutual respect, transparency and trust, understanding of the importance of further consolidation of friendship as distinguished features of bilateral cooperation. In their elations, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan rest on rich historical experience, traditions of brotherhood, friendship, good neighbourhood, mutual respect as well as on understanding of modern realities and considerable potential of the partnership.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the confidence that close multidimensional cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan meets fundamental interests of the peoples of the countries and make positive influence on regional and international processes.

Having expressed the gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan and members of the delegation for constructive and effective negotiations, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed deep satisfaction of the outcomes of the talks and taking an opportunity, conveyed sincere wishes of peace, prosperity and wellbeing to the people of Uzbekistan.