As it was reported earlier, on the invitation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov arrived October 7 in our country with an official visit.
The main events of the visit took place on October 8.
The official ceremony of meeting the President of Turkmenistan took place at the Kuksaroy residence. Islam Karimov and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov walked through the honorary squad that lined up in tribute to the leaders of our two nations.
The relations between the Uzbek and Turkmen peoples in the years of independence have been enriched with new content. Today, the bilateral ties are evolving steadily on the basis of the interstate agreement on boosting the friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation signed in 2007.
The friendship, mutual respect and trust between the Presidents of the two countries are instrumental in the advancement of bonds between the two nations. The two heads of state meet regularly and exchange views on strengthening and further expansion of cooperation. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov was awarded the international prize of Turkmenistan named after Makhtumkuli for his outstanding merits in the consolidation of bilateral relations, development of friendship and cultural cooperation between the two peoples.
The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, in his turn, for his contribution to cementing the friendly and good neighborly relations between our peoples, to the development of mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation was awarded the Mustaliqillik Order of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
During talks in a contracted format Islam Karimov and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov discussed the current state and prospects of further development of cooperation between the two countries, exchanged views on topical issues pertaining to regional and international affairs.
Uzbekistan’s President pointed out that the visit of the head of Turkmenistan is a remarkable political event in the history of relations between our two nations and shows the dynamic advancement of interaction built on good neighborly relations.
The President of Turkmenistan, in his turn, expressed gratitude to the head of our state for the invitation and stressed that the cooperation between the two countries has been consistently consolidating across all spheres.
The relations between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have been evolving on the basis of principles of mutual confidence, respect for interests, and reciprocal support at the international arena. The positions of the two sides are similar or close on all pressing issues of global and regional nature. The foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan proceeds from the principle of the sovereign equality of states, non-use of force or threat of force, inviolability of borders, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and other universally acknowledged principles and norms of international law. Turkmenistan adheres to a foreign policy based on the principles of neutrality, peacefulness, good neighborliness.
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have been making a remarkable input into the achievement of peace and stability in the neighboring Afghanistan.
While exchanging views on the situation in that country, the heads of two states stressed again the impossibility of the establishment of peace there with the use of force. Among the issues discussed also were those concerning the interaction in addressing such threats as terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking.
Our two countries also entertain a single position when it comes to the use of the waters of trans-boundary rivers. As it was underscored, the issues related to the water and energy sphere ought to be considered on the basis of universally recognized norms and principles of international law, with consideration of the interests of all nations of the region and with the participation of international organizations. It was said that while addressing the construction of major hydropower facilities on trans-boundary rivers, it is imperative to fully comply with the requirements of pertinent conventions of the United Nations.
The presidents continued talks in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations of the two countries. The main attention was focused on issues concerning further development of trade-economic, investment and cultural cooperation.
The volume of trade turnover between our two countries has been consistently growing. Over the past six years, the figure multiplied threefold, which amounted to 413 million dollars in 2014, while in January-August of the current year it reached 245 million dollars. Uzbek to exports Turkmenistan include vehicles, mineral fertilizers, agricultural goods, construction materials, electrical and mechanical equipment, metal produce, and services in various fields. Our country imports from Turkmenistan petroleum products, polymers of propylene and other goods of the chemical industry.
Economic potential of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates the opportunity to further expand the scope of cooperation. According to the 2012 intergovernmental agreement on mutual supplies, and the treaty on economic cooperation for 2013-2017, steadfast efforts are undertaken to further diversify the structure of the mutual trade and boost its volumes.
Another priority direction of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is transport and communications. Cargo transportation to Turkmenistan is carried out through the territory of Uzbekistan, and vice versa. Automobile highways and railroads of our countries constitute a well integrated system and offers opportunities to third countries for effective transit services. In this sense, the 2011 agreement on the construction of a new international transport-communication corridor Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman as a practical implementation of the initiatives of President Islam Karimov has a geostrategic importance.
