On April 28, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Achilbay Ramatov, who arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the first ministerial forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization on sustainable development.

Having expressed sincere gratitude for the time devoted to the meeting, the guest conveyed to the Head of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag cordial greetings and best wishes from the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At the same time, the high organizational level and significance of the current forum, held for the first time in such a format and designed to give new impetus to mutually beneficial partnership in the ECO region, were noted.

Sharing his impressions of the city of Arkadag, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan emphasized that he was delighted with the new "smart" city, the initiative for the construction of which belongs to the National Leader of the Turkmen people. As noted, all conditions for a comfortable life for people, as well as for holding major international events, have been created here on the basis of integrating advanced digital and "green" technologies.

The guest also emphasized that Uzbekistan values good-neighborly, fraternal relations with Turkmenistan. In this context, the recent friendly visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Samarkand was an important event. It was also noted that the awarding of the Hero-Arkadag with the highest state award of the Republic of Uzbekistan – the Order of "Oliý Darajali Dustlik" – was received with great enthusiasm by the Uzbek people.

Warmly welcoming the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan to the hospitable Turkmen land, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the ideas and proposals put forward at the ECO forum in the city of Arkadag will make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the participating countries in the future. The head of Turkmenistan noted that the substantive discussions held during the forum and its significant results will contribute to further strengthening effective regional cooperation.

Having conveyed cordial greetings and good wishes to the Head of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that today strong historical ties between the two countries serve as the basis for dynamic and multifaceted cooperation.

Taking this opportunity, the Head of Turkmenistan expressed sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, on the ancient Samarkand land - in the city that is a symbol of the richest historical and cultural heritage not only of Uzbekistan, but also of all of Central Asia.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Achilbay Ramatov exchanged best wishes to each other and the fraternal peoples of both countries.