Today, the President of Turkmenistan left for a two-day state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

At the International Airport of the capital, the head of state was seen off by officials.

...After the flight to Tashkent, the presidential airliner landed at the Islam Karimov International Airport. On this significant occasion, the airport of the Uzbek capital was decorated with the State Flags of the two friendly countries.

Soldiers of the Guard of Honor lined up along the carpet strip.

At the boarding ramp of the plane, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly and cordially welcomed by Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, as well as other officials and members of the government delegation of Turkmenistan.

Then the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan drove from the airport to the “Yangi Uzbekistan” Park.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was met there by officials of the neighboring state, as well as members of the government delegation of Turkmenistan.

The head of Turkmen state laid a magnificent wreath at the Independence Monument.

There the guide told President Serdar Berdimuhamedov about the features of that sight.

In the afternoon, the motorcade of the head of Turkmen state proceeded to the “Kuksaroy” Palace.

At the main palace entrance, the high guest was warmly and cordially welcomed by the Uzbek leader.

Having exchanged friendly handshakes, the leaders of the two countries proceeded to the square in front of the Palace, where the official welcoming ceremony for the high Turkmen guest took place.

Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev walked up a specially installed podium. The national anthems of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan were played. The commander of the Guard of Honor lined up on the square solemnly reported. The heads of the two friendly states watched the line of soldiers and paid tribute to the State Flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Then members of the Government delegations of both countries were introduced to Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

At the end of the ceremony, the soldiers of the Guard of Honor solemnly marched across the square.

Then the leaders of the two countries proceeded to the “Kuksaroy” Palace, where, after the official joint photographing against the background of the State Flags of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, the bilateral top-level negotiations were held.

The current high-level talks are a good opportunity to exchange views on priority issues of interstate cooperation and identify key areas for a productive long-term dialogue. Particular importance is attached in our country to the first visit of the head of Turkmen state to Uzbekistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, expressing confidence that today’s meeting would open up a new chapter in the history of Uzbek-Turkmen relations, which are based on traditionally strong ties of friendship, good neighborliness, trust and mutual support .

The agreements reached and the solid set of documents to be adopted following the meeting are designed to further step up bilateral cooperation in a wide range, including at regional and international platforms, the Uzbek leader said.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highly appreciated the huge contribution of Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the development of the Turkmen-Uzbek dialogue, thanks to which the partnership between the two neighboring countries was filled with a qualitatively new content, as well as to strengthening good neighborliness in the Central Asian region.

Thanking the leader of the friendly country for the invitation to pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and the hospitality and warm welcome, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted that this would further strengthen relations, contribute to the continuity of historical brotherhood, good neighborliness, commonality of goals and objectives today and in the future.

The head of state invited the Uzbek leader to visit Turkmenistan at a time convenient for him. The invitation was accepted with gratitude. The dates of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

Further, the negotiations were continued with the participation of members of the official delegations of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Highly appreciating the great services of the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan in strengthening the wide-ranging interstate dialogue, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is the architect and creator of modern Turkmenistan, and that all the high achievements of the country, which were well recognized by the international community, are associated with his name, having pointed out with satisfaction that our countries have every opportunity to maintain positive dynamics and double the volume of trade in the coming years.

Much attention is paid to building up cooperation in the field of transport. As was highlighted in this context, cargo transportation increased by 17 percent last year, and this trend continues this year.

The willingness of the parties to diversify and increase trade, develop industrial cooperation was also specified.

Efficient cooperation was pointed out at the inter-parliamentary level, where there is already a broad experience of joint work.

The head of Uzbek state emphasized the relevance of the proposal made by the President of Turkmenistan to hold cultural events that would contribute to strengthening the centuries-old ties of friendship and brotherhood between our peoples.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took the opportunity to thank the Turkmen party for its active support for the Resolution recently adopted of the UN General Assembly on the initiative of Uzbekistan on strengthening the interconnectedness between Central and South Asia.

At the end of his speech, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the current negotiations would bring the strategic bilateral partnership, which has great potential and wide opportunities, to a new level for progress and prosperity of the two countries and fraternal peoples.

Speaking then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked, on behalf of the delegation of Turkmenistan, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the warm welcome and hospitality, the high organization of the current meeting.

This is my first state visit to Uzbekistan, the head of state said, highlighting that he considers it as the most important and milestone event in relations between the two countries. Our main goal today is to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, good neighborliness and mutual understanding, develop and expand bilateral cooperation in all areas, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized.

Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan act as like-minded and responsible partners in the formation of their approaches to the most pressing issues of regional and global development.

The countries of our region have many common important and topical issues of cooperation, and their discussion at the highest level in the five-sided format, on a regular and systematic basis, can have the most positive impact on the development of processes in Central Asia and neighboring countries, open up new opportunities for development of specific coordinated decisions taking into account the interests of all participants, the head of Turkmen state said.

The topic of trust in interstate relations, the culture of dialogue is now acquiring global significance against the backdrop of the crisis phenomena that are observed in the world policy and economy. Setting an example of respect, equality and trust in relations with each other, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are actively promoting these ideas in the international arena in the modern epoch, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.

The pressing topic of the current talks is the situation in Afghanistan. Turkmenistan, in its national capacity and in the context of international efforts, continues to actively participate in promoting peace and stability in the neighboring state, creating conditions for the economic and social recovery of this country, and providing humanitarian aid to the fraternal Afghan people.

Having identified water and energy problems among the most important areas of multilateral partnership of the Central Asian states, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out the constructive position of Uzbekistan, its readiness for close cooperation.

Turkmenistan has always highlighted that water and energy problems in our region should be resolved on the basis of universally recognized rules of international law, taking into account the interests of each country and with the participation of international organizations, including the UN.

Turkmenistan is guided by the same goals in its approaches to the problems of the Aral Sea, advocating more efficient use of the potential of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, strengthening and improving fund’s activities. In this regard, the readiness for the closest cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan, other IFAS founding states and international specialized organizations was confirmed.

During the 14th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Uzbek Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation, held in September last year, interest in diversification and a significant increase in trade in the coming years was highlighted, and an agreement was reached to draft an Industrial Cooperation Development Roadmap and fulfill the potential of partnership in trade and transport.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to build partnership between the business communities of our countries. The head of state specified that the proper results of the work of the Turkmen-Uzbek Business Council have to be taken into account in this regard.

In recent years, border relations have intensified, and there is an exchange of delegations from neighboring regions, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued, expressing confidence that the Intergovernmental Agreement signed in October last year on the creation and regulation of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone will be executed soon.

At the same time, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that our country is looking forward to continuing partnership in the energy sector. The common range of joint activities already has a major energy project implemented, the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, the head of state said, declaring their intention to consider, together with Uzbek partners, opportunities for a significant increase in energy supplies and expanding their transit configuration.

The undisputed priority of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is the transport sector, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized, pointing out with satisfaction that the freight turnover between the two countries over 5 months of this year amounted to more than 15 thousand units of wagons by rail transport, and more than 17 thousand units by motor transport.

Then the topic of cultural and humanitarian cooperation was discussed.

An important and deeply symbolic event will be the opening of the “Tashkent” Park in the center of Ashgabat, the construction of which is at the final stage, the head of state emphasized.

Proposing to hold a Turkmen-Uzbek creative festival in Dashoguz this year, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said that humanitarian ties between the two countries would continue to be broadly supported by the state in Turkmenistan.

At the end of the talks in an enlarged format, bilateral documents were signed in the presence of the heads of state. These included: the Framework Agreement between the State Concern “Türkmenhimiýa” and the Joint-Stock Company “Uzkimyosanoat” (Republic of Uzbekistan) on the project for carrying out repair and restoration work and partial modernization of “Maryazot” (Turkmenistan); Agreement on cooperation between the State Concern “Türkmenhimiýa” and the Joint Stock Company “Uzkimyosanoat” (Republic of Uzbekistan) for strategic partnership and development of trade and economic cooperation; Protocol between the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the exchange of information on the movement of goods in mutual trade between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan; Technical Specifications for the exchange of preliminary information on goods being transported and vehicles moving between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan; Memorandum of Understanding between the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan and the State Museum of the Temurids History of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Agreement between the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of transport and transit cooperation; Memorandum on further strengthening cooperation in the field of railway transport between the Agency “Turkmendemirýollary” and the Joint Stock Company “Uzbekiston temir yullari”; Program of cooperation between the Ministry of Adalat of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022-2023; Program of scientific and technical cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022–2024; Agreement between the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan on holding a joint competition of initiative research projects; Program of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2023-2024; Agreement on cooperation between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the International Institute of Central Asia; Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of tourism; Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the management, protection and rational use of the water resources of the Amudarya River; Action Plan (Roadmap) for the practical implementation of the provisions contained in the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment and regulation of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone - Trade Center; Program of trade and economic cooperation and development of industrial cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022–2025.

To the applause of the ceremony participants, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Joint Statement.

It should also be noted that during the current state visit of the head of state to the neighboring country, the following documents were signed: Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Preservation of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Forestry of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of forestry; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan and the Agency for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of youth policy and the Action Plan between the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography and the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan to further expand cooperation in the field of television and radio broadcasting for 2022-2023.

In addition to the above, today a number of contracts have been signed in Tashkent between the business communities of the two countries on the export and import of the furniture complex, confectionery, chemical and agricultural products. Agreements were also reached on the design of an enterprise for the production of cars in Turkmenistan and on carrying out construction work in Uzbekistan.

The number of contracts concluded between the business communities of the friendly states totaled over 450 million US dollars.

At the end of the document signing ceremony, the heads of state addressed the media representatives.

Announcing the outcomes of the high-level talks, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that today’s state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan is expected to be an important milestone in the history of the centuries-old brotherhood of our peoples, based on strong ties of friendship, good neighborliness, trust and mutual support.

Having exchanged views on a wide range of issues, the parties agreed to adopt the first Roadmap in the implementation of the agreements reached.

We have identified priorities for further joint work in the political, trade, economic, transport, water, energy and humanitarian areas. We are confident that the complex of all these measures will contribute to the dynamic development of interstate relations, the President of Uzbekistan summed up, noting that the outcomes of the negotiations were reflected in the Joint Statement, as well as in a solid set of documents just signed.

During the talks, much attention was paid to cooperation in the water and energy sector. I would like to especially emphasize that we are addressing all water issues in the spirit of good neighborliness, mutual understanding and taking into account the interests of each other on a long-term basis, the head of Uzbek state said.

According to the head of friendly state, interregional dialogue is intended to become a breakthrough area. As is known, the First Turkmen-Uzbek Regional Forum and the meeting of the Business Council with the participation of more than 200 representatives of business communities of the two countries were successfully held in Bukhara the day before. Following them, a solid set of documents was signed. This work will continue on an ongoing basis.

Commenting on the outcomes of the high-level meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again thanked President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and all Uzbek officials for their hospitality and warm welcome, as well as the high organization of the visit.

During today’s meeting, the President of Turkmenistan continued, the state and prospects of bilateral relations, issues related to regional and international policies of mutual interest were discussed, and specific areas for further cooperation were identified. The constructive and substantive nature of the talks, which were held in the traditional atmosphere of mutual trust and openness, for relations between the two countries was especially emphasized.

As was noted, a high assessment was given to the current level of interstate dialogue, which is conducted in all areas such as political, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas. Wide-ranging Turkmen-Uzbek relations today are developing dynamically and progressively, on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

The cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is today a strategic factor in maintaining the stability and positive development of regional processes. Both countries are in favor of turning Central Asia into a zone free from conflicts and confrontations, a strong link in long-term stability in Eurasia, and an arena of broad international cooperation.

Our countries are successfully developing political and diplomatic cooperation within major international organizations, providing effective support to each other in promoting constructive resolutions.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took the opportunity to congratulate President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and, on his behalf, the fraternal people on the unanimous adoption of the Resolution “Strengthening the interconnectedness between Central and South Asia” by the UN General Assembly on July 11. This is a great foreign policy success, which demonstrates the high efficiency of Uzbekistan’s international activities, personal initiatives and proposals of the leader of the friendly country aimed at developing interregional cooperation on a solid legal basis. As the head of state noted, Turkmenistan was a co-author of this document and took an active part in its development.

Further in the speech, a high assessment was given to the activities of a new political joint action format established several years ago - the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

It was also noted that during the talks a detailed exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan took place. In this regard, the readiness of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to continue cooperation on the Afghan issue, including in the context of international efforts aimed at political stabilization and economic recovery of this state, was emphasized.

In addition to the above, the commonality of approaches was stated to key issues on the global agenda such as countering the threats of international terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.

As was emphasized, the parties confirmed their readiness to further maintain active cooperation within authoritative international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also highlighted that issues of bilateral trade and economic partnership were discussed in detail, in which regard a mutual interest was expressed in its expansion and diversification. Specified among the priority areas were energy, transport and communications, agro-industrial complex, chemical and textile industries, etc.

Particular emphasis is placed on the agreements reached on close cooperation and coordination of efforts in the creation of transport and transit corridors along the East-West line through the territories of our countries. In particular, Turkmenistan is ready for joint work on the development of the transport route Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Caspian Sea, through the Black Sea ports with access to Europe, the head of state said, stressing the importance of the speedy implementation of the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman-Qatar transport corridor project.

During the talks, due attention was paid to the state and prospects of cultural, humanitarian, scientific, educational and sports ties, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, stressing that the parties confirmed their mutual readiness for their further expansion.

The Turkmen delegation gives high assessment to the outcomes of today’s meeting, following which a solid set of bilateral documents was signed, the head of state said.

I would especially like to emphasize the great personal services of the President of Uzbekistan in strengthening interstate ties, his constant attention to issues of cooperation with Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out and said that he had invited the head of Uzbek state to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan at any time convenient for him.

Thanking for the invitation to visit Turkmenistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that during the upcoming visit, the opening of the “Tashkent” Park, which is being built in the capital of the fraternal country, will take place.

Today, the “Ashgabat” Park is one of the most favorite recreation places for residents and guests of Tashkent, the Uzbek leader said, expressing confidence that the “Tashkent” Park in the Turkmen capital would also be just as attractive and visited.

Emphasizing the need to step up work in all areas for the successful fulfillment of the agreements reached, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed the development of new specific mechanisms designed to promote the progressive development of productive interstate cooperation.

In the evening, the head of state, according to the established tradition, planted a tree in the Alley of Honored Guests, located within the State Residence “Kuksaroy”.

It should be noted that during his visit to Uzbekistan, the Hero Arkadag planted a tree in this beautiful park, which is a symbol of true friendship. Now it is growing, embodying the progressive dynamics and content of fraternal relations and cooperation between the two countries. Planting trees is a wonderful tradition of both peoples, which continues today.

Upon completion of planting a young tree, which has become a symbol of the growing bonds of indestructible Turkmen-Uzbek friendship and respect for the cordiality and hospitality of the fraternal people, an official dinner was given, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the “Kuksaroy” Palace in honor of the President of Turkmenistan.

During the official dinner, art figures of Uzbekistan gave performances, which became the symbol of the inviolability of the primordial relations of good neighborliness between the peoples of the two countries. Turkmen-Uzbek friendship was glorified in captivating melodies, songs and dances.

The state visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continues.