President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, met with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who has arrived in the Turkmen capital to attend the solemn opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Leaders of the two countries cordially greeted each other and were photographed against the background of the State flags of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Head of Turkmenistan has noted that he is delighted to receive his Uzbek colleague in Ashgabat and stressed that the current high level and efficiency of the Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan cooperation reflects the strong political will of the two sides to fully deepen the collaboration in all spheres. Highlighting the significant personal contribution by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the development of bilateral ties, the head of the neighboring country noted with satisfaction that the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan dialog is characterized by proximity or similarity of approaches to important international and regional problems. The Uzbek leader took the opportunity to congratulate the Turkmen leader on the opening of Ashgabat–2017 Games and noted the social and political significance of these continental Games that will become the first competition of such level in the history of Central Asia. Further to the meeting, the heads of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan exchanged views on the possibilities of implementing new joint projects in the context of execution of previously reached bilateral agreements. Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke in favor of active development of mutually beneficial commercial and economic cooperation, promotion of close business ties, and deepening of traditional humanitarian contacts. Expansion of cooperation in cultural and humanitarian spheres was a separate issue of the conversation. Noting the importance of intensifying the cultural exchange and scientific contacts for the purpose of studying the historical and cultural heritage of the two peoples, the Presidents expressed the mutual interest in organizing regularly the international conferences and symposiums with participation of scientists and experts from the two countries. Speaking of collaboration in the sphere of sports, whose development receives particular attention, the distinguished guest noted that athletes from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan actively participate in competitions held in both countries. Dwelling on the importance of the upcoming festivities in Ashgabat in honor the opening of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Uzbek leader has stressed that this tournament will certainly become the next step towards strengthening sport ties between different countries of the region and the world.