Turkmen leader pays tribute to Uzbekistan’s first president

As part of the events in Samarkand, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov jointly visited the Hazrati Khizr Complex and paid tribute to the memory of the First President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, the Presidential Press Service reported.

Flowers were laid at the grave during the visit, and Qur’an verses were recited in tribute to Karimov.

Berdimuhamedov’s itinerary in Samarkand includes bilateral meetings and participation in cultural events. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan relations, particularly in the areas of friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership.

On April 21, Berdimuhamedov traveled to Kazakhstan, where Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomed him at Turkistan Airport. Together, they visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a significant cultural and historical landmark.

On April 22, Berdimuhamedov held an informal meeting with Tokayev, focusing on expanding cooperation in the gas sector, including Kazakhstan’s potential involvement in the Galkynysh gas field development project.

Following his visit to Kazakhstan, Berdimuhamedov traveled to Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, where he was greeted by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. The two leaders engaged in bilateral talks and attended traditional Kyrgyz equestrian games, including “Jorgo Salish” and “Kok Boru”, at an equestrian center in Baktuu-Dolonotu village. The cultural program concluded with Japarov accompanying Berdimuhamedov to Issyk-Kul International Airport.