Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan cooperate on water use

Today, 21 October, at the end of the high-level negotiations with the delegations of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, a briefing was held for media representatives.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and through him to the brotherly Turkmen people for their warm hospitality.

It was noted that Uzbekistan is sincerely happy with the great progress being made in all aspects of the state and society's life due to the internal and foreign policy consistently implemented in Turkmenistan under the leadership of Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

It was especially noted that the founder of these updates is Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Public Consultation of the National Council of Turkmenistan.

It was noted that thanks to the common political will, Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan relations have been given a completely new spirit in recent years, and bilateral cooperation has taken a strategic shape.

At the end of today's negotiations, a declaration on the deepening of a strategic partnership aimed at closer cooperation both in the bilateral format and in the international arena was signed.

"Further strengthening of partnership with Turkmenistan is an unchanging priority of Uzbekistan's foreign policy," says Mirziyoyev.

During the negotiations, it was noted that special attention was paid to the use of the vast potential of the two countries for the benefit of the brotherly nations and the introduction of effective mechanisms.

The parties determined further expansion of trade and economic relations as the basis of the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan partnership.  Also, the construction of the Pre-Border Trade Zone with modern infrastructure will begin today.

"This will serve to increase trade, expand business relations, and create new jobs in the regions of our countries," says the President of Uzbekistan.

In addition, it was agreed to actively develop cooperative relations by implementing projects in the fields of industry, energy, agriculture, transport, and logistics.

Priorities of cooperation in water use and environmental protection, prevention, and elimination of consequences of natural emergencies were determined.

It was noted the importance of continuing constructive dialogue for the rational use of water resources of transboundary rivers in Central Asia.

Special attention was paid to the further expansion of interparliamentary dialogue and public diplomacy, the development of interregional relations, strengthening of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

"Cultural-humanitarian relations have been the cornerstone and foundation of centuries-old friendship between our brotherly peoples," says Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In addition, in order to widely celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, it was agreed to hold bilateral culture and cinema days, festivals, and other events next year.

It was noted that the positions of the two countries on current issues of international and regional politics are common.  Active cooperation within the framework of the UN, OSCE, CIS, SCO, CIS, CISF, and other multilateral structures will be continued.

"We have agreed to further strengthen regional cooperation within the framework of the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State," said the leader of Uzbekistan.

In addition, the heads of state agreed to expand efforts aimed at the immediate stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan and the promotion of important infrastructure projects.

At the end of his statement, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the results of fruitful negotiations will serve to strengthen the friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.