On November 17, negotiations were held between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Tashkent.
It was emphasized that the current state visit will become a significant step toward further strengthening the Uzbek-Turkmen relations of friendship, good-neighborliness and strategic partnership.
Uzbek-Turkmen trade turnover has nearly doubled in recent years, exceeding $1 billion last year. The goal has been set to increase its volume to $2 billion, primarily through expanding the product range and increasing mutual supplies.
Transport was named as the connecting link between the economies of the two countries. Freight volumes are growing, customs and logistics procedures are being simplified. The parties agreed to jointly develop the port of Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan and resume direct flights between the two capitals.
Particular attention was paid to energy issues. Commitment was reaffirmed to further deepen cooperation in the supply and transit of electricity and the implementation of joint projects in both countries.
The parties will enhance cooperation in environmental protection and rational water use, including within the entire Central Asian region.
Interregional cooperation was identified as another priority area. Regional forums have been successfully held in Bukhara and Turkmenabad. The third forum, involving all regions of both countries, will soon take place in Khiva.
Following high-level talks, Mirziyoyev and Berdimuhamedov took part in a video-conference ceremony to launch the joint Shavat-Dashoguz cross-border trade zone.
The zone houses administrative buildings for the directorate, customs, quarantine, phytosanitary, and veterinary services, a trade pavilion, and warehouse facilities, providing services based on the “single window” principle.
The new zone will facilitate the expansion of trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan’s Khorezm region and Turkmenistan’s Dashoguz region, two key regions with a combined population of over 3.5 million people.
Photo: president.uz
