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By pursuing a foreign policy based on the principles of peacefulness and positive neutrality, Turkmenistan demonstrates a forward-looking approach to developing fruitful cooperation both bilaterally and at the regional, interregional, and global levels. In this regard, our country regularly puts forward initiatives aimed at strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships in various formats. One clear example of this is the traditional relations with neighboring states, with whose peoples the Turkmen people are united by historically established bonds of friendship and brotherhood, as well as shared cultural and spiritual values.
The success and relevance of this creative strategy, initiated by Hero-Arkadag and consistently implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, were further confirmed by the events of the International Year of Peace and Trust, marking the 30th anniversary of the Fatherland’s permanent neutrality, three times recognized by UN General Assembly resolutions.
In light of current realities, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, a format of interaction, has acquired particular relevance, driven by the region’s growing role not only in continental but also global processes. As is well known, several years ago, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, put forward the idea of a fundamentally new approach to regional partnership, emphasizing the importance of systemic political dialogue at the highest level.
The five-party summits held over the past years have demonstrated the effectiveness of this concept. As practice shows, Consultative Meetings facilitate the development of a comprehensive understanding of the progress and direction of regional cooperation and the identification of its priority vectors, taking into account long-term prospects. They provide an opportunity to discuss key issues of interaction in detail, exchange opinions, make proposals and adjustments, and reach coordinated decisions. In this context, it is worth recalling that in August 2021, Turkmenistan hosted the third Summit of this format, which was successfully held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone. The results of the summit and the number of major international events organized as part of its rich program became a significant contribution to the further rapprochement of fraternal neighboring countries and peoples.
Today, this format, which has proven itself an open platform for trusting, constructive dialogue, is expanding its scope. Based on this, Turkmenistan is putting forward specific initiatives to optimally realize the enormous cumulative potential of interstate cooperation and implement new joint projects. This is evidenced by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s participation in the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in Tashkent on November 16, as part of his state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In his speech at the Summit, the head of Turkmenistan reaffirmed the neutral country’s unwavering commitment to a fruitful, multi-vector partnership with neighboring countries that serves the goals of common prosperity. He also emphasized the importance of continuing close political and diplomatic cooperation at the regional level and internationally, particularly at the UN.
Expressing his conviction that the enormous potential of Central Asian countries necessitates further active economic cooperation in the interests of all states in the region, the President of Turkmenistan singled out transport, energy, trade, and industrial and technological cooperation as strategic areas.
Today, Central Asia is considered a key transport and transit corridor of international significance. In this context, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov advocated for a significant boost to the transport component of cooperation, which requires effective and meaningful participation in the creation of combined East-West and North-South corridors. Speaking about this, the head of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that pooling our potential to develop a modern, extensive, efficient, and sustainable transport and logistics infrastructure is a worthy goal that meets the strategic interests of our countries.
Turkmenistan is also prepared to discuss further concrete steps to strengthen its energy partnership, not just pipeline projects. In this regard, the importance of expanding the electric power sector and creating a robust network for electricity production, supply, and consumption in the region and its surrounding areas was noted.
Among the pressing tasks, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also outlined the formation of production cooperative chains in industry and agriculture, more active participation of businesses in establishing various joint ventures on the territory of our countries, and the expansion of cross-border and regional trade.
The head of Turkmenistan also noted the importance of further strengthening cooperation on water resources in the region based on equality, respect for each other’s interests, mutual understanding, and solidarity. It was emphasized that our country generally supports increased joint efforts on environmental issues in Central Asia, particularly in sensitive areas such as saving the Aral Sea and desertification.
Turkmenistan also welcomes the presence of UN agencies on the environmental agenda in Central Asia and the establishment of specialized UN offices here. In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his conviction in the need for our countries to develop coordinated environmental diplomacy at the United Nations and to attract increasing international attention to the region’s problems.
At the same time, the head of Turkmenistan also emphasized the continued relevance and importance of developing and supporting humanitarian cooperation for Central Asian states.
In 2026, our country will assume the chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting. As President Berdimuhamedov emphasized upon assuming the chairmanship, Turkmenistan will make every effort to strengthen unity and cohesion, strengthen economic partnerships, and make the region attractive for significant foreign investment and the implementation of large-scale international projects in energy, transport, communications, and other areas.
In this regard, it is noteworthy that next year’s Summit of Heads of State will be held in a new format – “Central Asia and Azerbaijan”. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also participated in the 7th Consultative Meeting in Tashkent. Speaking at the Summit, the President of Turkmenistan congratulated the head of the friendly state on Azerbaijan’s accession to this format as a full participant.
As is known, this initiative was put forward by the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, at an event held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone on August 5 of the current year, timed to coincide with preparations for the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.
As Hero-Arkadag emphasized, as a crucial part of interstate cooperation in the region, the Consultative Meetings simultaneously have a constructive impact on strengthening relations with neighboring countries, shaping models of interregional partnership, and, to a large extent, providing the conditions for developing mutually beneficial ties on a continental scale. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also expressed confidence that cooperation and mutual support between the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan in implementing the set tasks will be a significant contribution to achieving the goals outlined in the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030, ensuring universal security and stability.
Continuing on this topic, it should be noted that Turkmenistan effectively cooperates with the Central Asian states and the Republic of Azerbaijan within the UN and other authoritative international and regional organizations. Our country also takes a proactive stance in promoting mutually beneficial cooperation within the “Central Asia+” format, which has gained new momentum in recent years. This is clearly demonstrated by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s participation in this year’s Central Asia-European Union, Central Asia-Italy, Central Asia-China, Central Asia-Russia, and Central Asia-USA Summits.
Returning to the program of the President of Turkmenistan’s state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, it is also necessary to particularly note the significance and effectiveness of the high-level bilateral talks held in Tashkent on November 17. This meeting, held in an atmosphere of openness, complete mutual understanding, and trust, marked a new and important milestone in the history of Turkmen-Uzbek relations.
As emphasized during the talks between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a comprehensive and comprehensive agenda for interstate cooperation across its entire multifaceted spectrum has now been established. Constructive political dialogue is steadily developing, including at regional and international levels, trade and economic partnerships are expanding, mutual trade turnover is growing, and traditional humanitarian ties are deepening. Particular emphasis was placed on the enormous contributions of Hero-Arkadag.
Priority areas of cooperation identified included transport and communications, the energy sector, including gas and electricity, as well as the industrial complex, business contacts, agriculture, ecology and environmental protection, and water issues. Furthermore, interaction in education, science, culture, healthcare, physical education, and sports was identified as an integral component of bilateral relations.
The Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone – the Shavat-Dashoguz Trade Center – plays a significant role in expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. The heads of state participated in the digital opening ceremony for the center, which was held online.
In recognition of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s achievements in strengthening the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries and testament to the centuries-old brotherhood of our peoples, the Turkmen leader was granted the highest state award of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the “Oliý Darajali Dustlik” Order.
The agreements reached during the talks and the signing of a significant package of documents designed to further enhance Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation in various fields reaffirmed the friendly, neighborly, and fruitful nature of the interstate dialogue and the mutual desire of both parties to take it to new heights that meet its existing potential.
Overall, the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Uzbekistan was a significant contribution to ensuring prosperity and sustainable development on a regional and interregional scale, and to strengthening mutual understanding and trusting relations between countries and peoples.
