President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov called for stronger economic, cultural, and sports ties between Central Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the GCC-Central Asia summit in Jeddah on Wednesday, the official Turkmen media reported.
President Berdimuhamedov said that "it is necessary to strengthen the economic partnership between Central Asia and the Gulf." He also proposed creating a platform for cultural and environmental cooperation between the two regions, as well as developing a sports partnership.
To coordinate transportation efforts, Serdar Berdimuhamedov recommended establishing a special transportation committee for Central Asian and Gulf countries.He also gave special importance to the field of energy, saying that Central Asia and the GCC have rich energy resources and strong refining facilities.
Turkmen President proposed establishing a joint working group to analyze the potential for collaboration in the field of energy and provide consultations.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed strengthening trade and investment ties between Central Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He recommended establishing a chamber of commerce between the two regions and holding the first investment forum in Turkmenistan in 2024.
The Turkmen President also suggested holding a medical convention in the city of Ashgabat in 2025 for Central Asia and the GCC.
According to the Saudi press agency, on the sidelines of GCC-Central Asia Summit President Berdimuhamedov met with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman.