Today at the coast of the Caspian Sea, in Avaza national tourist zone, under the chairmanship of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the third Consultative meeting of heads of the Central Asian states is held. The Congress centre "Avaza" became a venue for the high level Forum, for participation in which President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kirghiz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon arrived in our country.

In the morning President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov headed to the Congress centre "Avaza". Here, in the foyer, the Turkmen leader hospitably, fraternally welcomed heads of the Central Asian states who arrived by turns for participation in the Forum. After exchange of traditional friendly handshakes, joint photographing of the President of Turkmenistan with each of honoured guests took place. Prior to the beginning of the Summit the leader of the nation held bilateral meetings with Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, and also with Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman.

Presidents of Central-Asian countries gathered in Turkmenistan for participation in this meeting in which frameworks passed a number of parallel actions of economic and cultural character, including the Economic forum of the Central Asian countries, the International exhibition of national products of the countries of Central Asia, Dialogue of women of the countries of Central Asia, and also the International festival of national dishes of the countries of region.

During the meeting Presidents discussed the issues connected with realisation of decisions accepted during the Consultative meeting of Heads of the Central Asian states which was held in Tashkent on November 29, 2019. The parties noted importance of the region from the geopolitical and geoeconomic points of view, underlined a high level of mutual understanding, trust and mutual respect between the countries which are connected by centuries-old historical, spiritual and cultural bonds. It was underlined that all it positively influences the development of not only the region, but also Eurasia as a whole.

The special attention was given to creation of favourable conditions for partnership in the energy sphere, to expansion of cooperation of the countries of the region in transport-communication area, in particular by maintenance of effective functioning existing and formations of new transport corridors. In his speech President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said , «being based on United Nations documents, we go by the way of formation in Central Asia favourable political-legal and economic conditions for safe, and steady power partnership focused both on satisfaction in regional demand for energy carriers, and on an access to the world markets through the international transit corridors».

Presidents exchanged opinions concerning development of commercial relations, increase in volumes of export-import transactions. Agreements on increase in diversification of mutual goods turnover and industrial cooperation were reached.

Following the results of the meeting the Joint Statement of Heads of the Central Asian states was accepted.

Further the press conference of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman took place following the results of the Consultative meeting of Heads of the Central Asian states.

The same day presidents visited the International exhibition of national products of the countries of Central Asia and the International festival of national dishes of the Central Asian countries.

Heads of the states took part in the festive concert of workers of art and culture of the Central Asian countries.

Then in the Large Conference Hall of the Congress centre "Avaza" the solemn awarding ceremony of President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon by the Honourable Sign of heads of the Central Asian states took place.

In the sphere of transport and communications we agreed on optimisation and more effective sharing of existing and also creation of new transcontinental transport routes and corridors by lines of Central Asia - the Caspian -Black Sea region, Central Asia - Near East, the Turkmen leader told. Agreements were reached and concrete decisions on increase and qualitative diversification of mutual goods turnover and industrial cooperation were made.

As the leader of the nation noted further, we gathered in this hall for participation in the rather responsible and solemn ceremony. Today, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov informed, by heads of the states the unanimous decision on awarding of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon by the Honourable Sign of heads of the Central Asian states was accepted. This Sign is awarded for his outstanding merits in friendship development, goodly neighbourhood, mutual understanding and cooperation between the Central Asian countries, strengthening of peace and security in the region, advancement of joint interests and initiatives of the Central Asian states in the international community.

It is really a well-deserved award, as was underlined by the head of Turkmenistan. President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, possessing big political and life experience, for many years heads the country, does all necessary for maintenance of its dynamic and stable development, achievement of high standard of living of the Tajik people, its well-being.

Having expressed to his Tajik colleague sincere congratulations on this award, the head of Turkmenistan wished him sound health, longevity and new successes in his state and international activity, and to all people of Tajikistan - happiness, peace and prosperity.

Then to the applause of the gathered in solemn conditions President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov handed President Emomali Rahmon the Honorable Sign of heads of the Central Asian states.

Upon the completion of the ceremony the press conference with participation of deputy chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov and the special representative of the UN Secretary General for Central Asia, head of UNRCCA of Natalia Gherman took place following the results of the Consultative meeting of heads of the states of the region.

On the completion of the Forum heads of the Central Asian states left the Congress centre "Avaza".

In the second half of the day Presidents of Turkmenistan, Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kirghiz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan visited the International exhibition of national products and the International festival of national dishes of the Central Asian countries and also became spectators of the solemn concert of masters of art of the states of the region.

The same day, on completion of the Forum program, honoured guests left Turkmenistan.

Thus, the Consultative meeting of heads of the Central Asian states and the actions organised in its frameworks in Avaza national tourist zone again visually showed far-sighted and responsible approach of neutral Turkmenistan to issues of development of multilateral regional and international partnership.

For its acknowledgement can serve constructive initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, called to promote the further promotion of fruitful full-fledged cooperation of the regional countries on a strategic basis, to conclusion of the interstate relations based upon historically developed traditions of friendship and good neighbourhood, qualitatively new level.