Strategic partnership for peace, stability, universal well-being and progress - this basic principle of the foreign policy doctrine of Turkmenistan is very topical today for modern international relations. With all evidence it was shown by the third Consultative meeting of heads of the Central Asian states, which took place under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the coast of the Caspian Sea, Avaza national tourist zone.
The high-level meeting in which President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kirghiz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part, gave a new stimulus to fruitful interaction between the brotherly countries and the people connected by relations of sincere friendship, centuries-old generality of cultural and spiritual traditions.
The forum agenda included a wide spectrum of topical issues concerning activization of productive interaction of the countries and all interested foreign partners. The fact of its organization in Turkmenistan – another evidence of a great prestige of our Fatherland on the world scene and a general recognition of constructive initiatives of the head of the state directed to achievement of the sustainable development goals in regional and global dimensions.
Constructive proposals made by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Summit in Avaza are aimed at further strengthening of multilateral partnership of the countries of the region, their all-round integration into the system of world economic relations. As the head of the Turkmen state noted, first of all it is necessary to develop the "Road map" designated for intermediate term period on fulfilment of earlier reached agreements in which priorities of joint activity also will be defined.
As known, being one of the world energy powers, Turkmenistan gives particular attention to strengthening of international cooperation in the given sphere, as to the significant factor of successful realisation of the «Agendas in the field of sustainable development for 2030» accepted by the United Nations.
Initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the topicality of which is confirmed with the corresponding Resolutions twice accepted by the UN General Assembly with unanimous support by the states of the region are directed to formation of new architecture of general energy security.
Acting at the Summit, the Turkmen leader placed special emphasis on the given theme, having underlined that the partnership in this sphere is necessary for realization by means of active and full-fledged participation of all without an exception of the states of Central Asia, and it should be aimed at creation of powerful energy infrastructure both in the region, and beyond its limits.
«Turkmenistan is ready to significance rise of volumes of deliveries of natural gas to the countries of Central Asia or through their territories to foreign markets under mutually beneficial conditions», - the head of the state stated.
Along with it capacities in Lebap and Mary regions of Turkmenistan allow to increase considerably electric power deliveries to the Central Asian states.
Participants of the Summit expressed support to the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan on development of the Strategy of the United Nations aimed at realisation of measures on development of low carbon energy and also creation under the aegis of the United Nations the international "Road map" on development of hydrogen as one of the priority directions in energy.
Important agreements were reached in the transport sphere which serves as one more link in formation of constructive and fruitful relations between the countries of the region, developing in the spirit of friendship and good neighbourhood, respect of interests each other. As it was already marked, features of our states is their geographical location between Europe and Asia that opens ample opportunities in the field of transit transportations, rendering of logistical services.
The head of Turkmenistan proposed to start development of concrete plans on formation of integrated transport system of the countries of Central Asia, using the gained joint experience. Importance of definition of new vectors of partnership, first of all in the field of building automobile and the railways, bridges and other objects of transport infrastructure was thus underlined.
It is necessary to note that our country already conducts large scale work in the given direction, and much important links of transport-communication network of the region were already made during the last years, created.
Considering, what not all states have an access to the sea; President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed readiness of Turkmenistan to give the port capacities on the Caspian Sea for their use in interests of all countries of the region.
Thereupon the Turkmen leader suggested forming at the governmental level five-sided working group for exploration of possibilities of formation of new transport-communication routes in directions of Central Asia – Caspian - Black Sea region with an access to South Europe, and also Central Asia - Near East.
In particular, leaders of the friendly countries supported creation of the five-sided Council of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Central Asian countries with a view of providing mutual cooperation in trade and economic, energy , transport-logistical and innovative directions of purposeful and system character.
One of the key vectors of interaction was designated coordination of general efforts in counteraction to threats and challenges of time. As President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pointed out, ambiguously conditions take shape in neighbouring Afghanistan, there are conflict situations in a number of other regions located not so far from borders of the countries of Central Asia.
Invariably following principles of positive neutrality, peaceful disposition and mutual assistance, our country in practice brings the essential contribution to development of social and economic infrastructure of Afghanistan, constantly helping the friendly state in strengthening of bases of creative life.
During the meeting the topic of distribution of coronavirus infections was mentioned. Having noted that combat against the pandemic demands the system and professional approach to the solution of issues in which the degree of decrease in the risks caused by COVID-19 directly depends, the head of Turkmenistan suggested to make active interaction in the area of scientific diplomacy, to create all necessary conditions for the systematic dialogue of scientists-physicians, experts and specialists in other adjacent fields of knowledge. This initiative was supported by all participants of the Summit.
Leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invariably carries coordination of efforts to number of main points of regional cooperation in improvement of ecological conditions in Central Asia.
«First of all it concerns rescue of the Aral, struggle against degradation of land and desertification, preservation of glaciers and rational use of water resources. We have good potential in these directions, important decisions at regional and international level were made. It is necessary to continue to move further, to involve specialised international structures, United Nations establishments, financial institutions» more actively, - the President of Turkmenistan said, addressing participants of the Forum.
With a view to attach a systematic and regular character to interaction in the humanitarian sphere the parties agreed to create as a uniform platform of cultural-humanitarian exchange the Forum «Central Asia: one last and one future».
Following the results of the present Summit, it was entrusted to foreign policy departments to finish in the near future work on conclusion of the draft of the "Road map" on development of regional cooperation for 2022-2024», and also to prepare for signing at the following Consultative meeting of heads of the Central Asia states the Friendship treaty, good neighbourhood and cooperation with a view of development of Central Asia in the 21st century.
In the Joint statement also it was underlined that in the current year, 2021 declared by the Un General Assembly as International year of peace and trust, it is necessary to intensify the consolidated activity of the countries of Central Asia on the world scene with a view of achievement of concrete results in realisation of large-scale and long-term strategy, concepts and the programs accepted at the level of the United Nations Organization.
By the spirit of sincere friendship and mutual understanding bilateral negotiations of Presidents of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan carried out on the side lines of the Summit.
Thus, Avaza national tourist zone which has hosted the Consultative meeting of heads of the Central Asian states has visually confirmed a long-term character of initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov who enjoy a broad support of the world community, an active position of Turkmenistan in issues of development of constructive multilateral cooperation, and also aspiration of the countries of the region to the further strengthening of mutually beneficial partnership answering to the purposes of the general well-being and progress.