Today, the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has taken place under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the capital. The new luxurious hotel “Garagum” with multipurpose business centre where all conditions both for reception of honoured guests, and for conduction of important international actions are created, became the venue for the summit.

In the Summit, which Turkmenistan hosts as the country presiding in ECO during the current year, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Kirghiz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part. Prime Minister Askar Mamin represented the Republic Kazakhstan at the forum. ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri also has taken part in the Summit.

Today prior to the beginning of the forum leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President of the Kirghiz Republic and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In the foyer of the hotel "Garagum", the head of Turkmenistan warmly welcomed heads of member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Participants of the summit proceeded into the Conference hall of the hotel where after the traditional ceremony of joint photographing a solemn opening of the 15th ECO Summit took place.

Addressing the gathered with a welcoming speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that in the foreign policy Turkmenistan attaches a special significance to interaction with the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Now within the limits of programs and the projects realised by ECO, it is necessary to expand cooperation in such areas as technologies, communications, financial and bank sectors, the head of Turkmenistan said, having expressed confidence that during today's meeting constructive negotiations on the areas opening huge prospects for the future will be held.

Then, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave the floor to Chairman of the 14th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization- President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In his speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined that the Summit’s work is of great importance both for ECO member states and for discussion of topical issues of activization of regional and international cooperation.

The honoured guest noted that during the forum tasks of activity of the Organization in various spheres would be considered and priority directions of development of solution of key issues of the present will be designated.

Having underlined the significance of the decisions aimed at further expansion of cooperation in regional and global dimensions, including optimisation of functioning of the international transport-transit corridors, the head of the Republic of Turkey also pointed out that interaction in this direction becomes a clear evidence of revival of the great silk road which in ancient times united peoples and countries, in a modern format.

At the end of his speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Turkmenistan which chairs the ECO, gratitude for the created possibilities for successful organization of the Summit.

Then, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov - the Chairman of the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, addressing heads of ECO member countries, expressed his deep gratitude for accepting the invitation to gather in the capital of Turkmenistan for participation in the present Summit.

- We with good reason consider the holding of this forum as an important event, called to strengthen cooperation of our countries in economic, trade-investment and cultural-humanitarian spheres, - the head of Turkmenistan said.

Throughout the topic, the leader of the nation first of all underlined that as a neutral state and responsible member of the world community, Turkmenistan is always open for wide interaction with all interested foreign partners, including with the authoritative regional and international organisations. In the given context, it was marked with satisfaction a growing dynamics of dialogue with ECO with which at our country has gained a riuch experience of joint work.

As the leader of the nation noted further, operating in the tideway of realisation of these initiatives, our country in partnership with a number of ECO member states started realisation of large infrastructural projects in recent years. As known, now the building of transmission lines Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan, the railway from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan is conducted. The building of the gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India at full speed moves ahead.

At the same time, the head of Turkmenistan especially underlined the importance of participation in the given processes of Afghanistan, which thus becomes the operating subject, the valuable integral participant of economic partnership. It displays the strategic prospect for the neighbouring country, its role in regional and global processes, the major condition of attainment of peace, consent and development on the Afghani land. 

The leader of the nation also expressed belief in necessity to rendering the urgent and effective humanitarian aid to the Afghani people during the present uneasy period.

Addressing participants of the Summit, the leader of the nation underlined that the major component of partner interstate relations is trade development. Following the results of last year total goods turnover between ECO member countries OES made up 49,8 billion US dollars. Certainly, this indicator does not reflect the available joint potential.

It is necessary to help business to develop business ties fully, to provide their appropriate bank-financial support, to create if necessary, a system of corresponding easy terms and privileges at realisation of trade operations.

Along with it, the head of Turkmenistan outlined the importance of activization of cooperation in medicine and public health services. Last two years became for all a very serious test. It quickly enough appeared obvious that alone this or that country can reach only temporary success in struggle against the pandemic. Thereupon, the leader of the nation noted expediency in the nearest future to start adjustment within the limits of ECO systematic channels of exchange of experience, techniques and operating time in counteraction to dangerous infectious diseases. Here our states have enough experience to offer each other.

At the end of his speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri for skilful and effective coordination of activity of the Organization.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also congratulated participants of the Summit on ECO Day and wished all new successes in consolidation of interstate cooperation.

Then, the leader of the nation gave the floor to Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Khusrav Noziri.

Mr Khusrav Noziri directed attention to importance of creation of ECO clearing union between the central banks of the countries-partners of the Organization for assistance to carrying out the operative economic transactions connected with trade. Achievement of these purposes will promote also work of ECO regional institute for standardization, estimation of conformity, accreditation and metrology.

At the end of his speech, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization expressed confidence that results of the present Summit will promote the further enhancement of fruitful versatile contacts between ECO member states with the account of interests and possibilities of all parties.

Further, the head of Turkmenistan  addressed participants of the meeting with a proposal to approve the agenda of the present Summit, the draft of  which has been in advance distributed by the ECO Secretariat that further on its basis to continue the forum’s work.

Throughout the summit, the leader of the nation gave the floor to its participants.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was the first to speak, welcoming participants of the forum, he thanked President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for high level organisation of the Summit, hospitality rendered on the Turkmen land and  warmly congratulated on presidency of Turkmenistan in the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Then, the floor was given to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Ebrahim Raisi.

Further, the floor was given to President of the Kirghiz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov.

Then, the floor was given to President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi.

Then, the floor was given to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

Further, the floor was given to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Further, the floor was given to Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin.

Throughout the meeting, addressing its participants, the head of Turkmenistan noted that with the account of the agreement by results of today's Summit the Final document is accepted.

The final document of the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization- the Ashgabat Consensus for Actions – was unanimously accepted.

Then within the limits of the Summit holders of ECO awards were announced.

From the bottom of the heart having congratulated the listed representatives on their high awards, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed heads of the states and the governments to designate responsible persons for reception of the above-named awards after the end of the present Summit here from ECO Secretariat to hand them in Organization’s member countries.

Further, the leader of the nation passed to the following issue, concerning designation of the country-chairman in the Economic Cooperation Organization for the next year and venues of the next Summit.

Then, addressing heads of the states and members of delegations with concluding remarks, the Turkmen leader thanked all for active participation in the 15th ECO Summit and presented substantial and meaningful speeches.

The leader of the nation expressed belief that together we are capable to solve the challenges. Today, under uneasy conditions in the international relations, the crisis phenomena in global economy, our countries show examples of mutual trust, good neighbourhood, responsibility, mutual respect, readiness hand in hand to go forward. It with all evidence was confirmed also with the present Summit.

In conclusion, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed all sincere gratitude for warm words to Turkmenistan and the Turkmen people, support of the international initiatives of our country. All it gives us additional confidence of correctness of our choice made in favour of wide and active cooperation within the ECO.

By it, the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization finished its work.

In honour of participants of the 15th ECO Summit, the President of Turkmenistan gave a formal reception.

After it, the leader of the nation warmly said goodbye to his foreign colleagues. At that, once again the insistence of the sides to effective full interaction, which is equitable to interests of general well-being and prosperity, was confirmed.

The same day honoured guests left the Turkmen capital.

The results of the forum were highlighted at the press conference in which Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov and ECO Secretary General Khusrav Noziri addressed representatives of mass media.

Thus, the 15th ECO Summit that took place under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat again visually demonstrated the initiative and responsible approach of neutral Turkmenistan to issues of development of wide constructive cooperation both in bilateral, and multilateral formats, within the limits of the authoritative international organisations.

Supporting the maximum realization of available potential for this, our Fatherland undertakes consecutive steps in the given direction, bringing a concrete contribution to strengthening of fruitful interstate partnership, relations of friendship and good neighbourhood, mutual understanding and trust between the countries and people.