President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has held a meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, who arrived in our country to attend the First Caspian Economic Forum in the Avaza National Tourist Zone.
The head of state heartily welcomed the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, thanking him for attending the Caspian Forum.The Turkmen leader emphasized that our country highly treasures the friendly relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The guest passed on warm greetings to the head of Turkmenistan from President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who had expressed confidence that the First Caspian Economic Forum would give powerful impetus to diversified cooperation in the Caspian Sea and the region, and greatly boost investment.
As highlighted, Uzbekistan actively supports the large regional and international projects initiated by the Turkmen leader.Grateful for the kind words, the head of state extended his best wishes to the top leadership and the people of the friendly country.
The Turkmen leader pointed out that one of the top priorities of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy is advancing a productive dialogue with its neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan.Then, the President of Turkmenistan and his guest exchanged their opinions on prospects of the Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation, having said that new possibilities open up today for enhancing the multifaceted dialogue.
The parties specifically highlighted that the agreements concluded between President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during the official visit by the head of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan, are being successfully implemented now.
During the meeting, special emphasis was placed on the importance of the First Caspian Economic Forum.The guest noted that the forum’s outcomes would undoubtedly mark a new stage in terms of strengthening the good-neighborly relations, mutually rewarding and equitable cooperation among the countries in the region.
Having identified the transport sector as a key area of partnership, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan acknowledged the personal contribution of the President of Turkmenistan to developing regional transit-transport infrastructure.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude for supporting the initiatives and stated that in the light of the present-day conditions the transport sector is seen as a strategic area of interstate cooperation.
A notable example is the opening of a highway bridge and a railway bridge over the Amudarya River between cities of Turkmenabat and Farab.The Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation in transport facilitates the development of Central Asian countries and neighboring regions and is regarded as the crucial factor for the successful economic integration and partnership in the context of the North-South and East-West transport corridors.
We do not mean only overland routes, the head of state continued, stressing that our country offers Uzbekistan to explore the possibilities of using the modern port infrastructure and facilities on the Caspian coast (Turkmen sector) to access to European and Middle Eastern markets, the Black and Mediterranean Seas.
At the same time, the sides confirmed their willingness to closely collaborate on the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-the Caspian Sea-Southern Caucasus Corridor project.Economic cooperation was also recognized as a priority area of the bilateral relations.
Uzbekistan seeks to promote the long-term partnership, the friendly country’s Prime Minister said, speaking of interaction in the manufacturing sectors, and of closer ties between border regions.
During an exchange of views on topical issues on the regional and global agenda, the two countries confirmed their mutual willingness to advance the dialogue within the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and other reputable international organizations.
Closer and more active humanitarian cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan was a specific topic of discussion.Stressing the need to intensify scientific exchanges and contacts to explore the national historical and cultural heritage, the parties evinced common interest in running international conferences on a regular basis with the participation of scientists and specialists from the two countries.
Ending the meeting, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries would continue to develop successfully.