The past week, marked by the state visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Uzbekistan and other important events, brought new evidence of the successful implementation of the colossal economic potential of Turkmenistan and its foreign policy aimed at cooperation in the name of common goals - peace, development, progress and prosperity.
Topical issues of state life were considered at a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, which the head of Turkmenistan held via digital system on July 13th.
Among the topics discussed are the comprehensive work of the National Parliament to improve the country's legislative framework, increasing oil production at the Uzynada area in the Balkan velayat, the course of seasonal agricultural campaigns, measures taken to improve water supply in the regions of the country, in particular, in the Dashoguz velayat.
Information was provided on preparations for the upcoming state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Uzbekistan and the organization of the International Conference “International transport and transit corridors: interconnection and development.”
It was also reported on the ongoing work to improve public administration in order to effectively regulate labor resources and the labor market.
As noted, at present, work on the coordination and approval of the staffing tables of state institutions and enterprises is carried out in accordance with a special procedure. A draft of a new edition of this Procedure has been prepared, which meets the requirements of the Labor Code and the Law of Turkmenistan “On Public Associations” and developed to regulate this activity and modernize a number of existing legal acts.
During the meeting, a proposal was submitted for consideration by the head of state to announce an international tender for the construction of an additional warehouse complex on the territory of the world's first plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas in Akhal velayat.
Its construction seems expedient in connection with the increase in the production capacity of the unique industrial complex, which produces ECO-93 gasoline, liquefied gas and desulfurized diesel fraction. Environmentally friendly products are in ever-increasing demand in the world market. From January to June, the production plan was fulfilled by 120.8 percent.
The high authority and solid image of independent neutral Turkmenistan in the international community is due not only to its economic power, but also to the rich historical and cultural values of the Turkmen people. At present, the Regulations on holding the international festival "Crafts and arts and crafts in the heritage of the peoples of the world" have been developed. The creative action is planned to be organized on October 11-14 this year in the city of Turkmenabat, Lebap velayat.
Preparations are also underway for the Digital Solution 2022 competition of innovative projects. It is expected that it will be held in such categories as healthcare, science and education, transport and logistics, electronic industry, agriculture, and services.
At the meeting, the head of state signed the Decree “On holding the World Sambo Championship in Ashgabat in 2025”, instructing to form a national team for this sport from the best athletes of the country and organize training classes of all participants of the Championship.
On July 13th, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, Suheil Al-Mazrui.
During the meeting, the prospects for the further development of bilateral partnership, including in such an important area as the energy sector, were discussed.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that, by implementing the strategy of comprehensive modernization and diversification of the fuel and energy complex, our country is oriented towards attracting innovations, digital technologies and advanced developments to the industry. In this context, cooperation in the field of “green” energy, the practical use of environmentally friendly renewable energy sources, in particular the sun and wind, is also seen as relevant.
The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE confirmed the desire of the UAE business circles for a long-term partnership with Turkmenistan and participation in new promising projects.
The state visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Uzbekistan on July 14-15 was a significant step towards building fruitful bilateral relations that are in the nature of a strategic partnership and based on long-standing traditions of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual support of the fraternal Turkmen and Uzbek peoples.
During the high-level talks held at the Kuksaroy Palace, the heads of friendly states discussed the approaches of the parties to further building constructive cooperation, which opens up wide opportunities for the fullest realization of the huge potential.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that, based on the unity and similarity of approaches on fundamental issues, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, in close cooperation, are pursuing a firm line on ensuring stability and security in the world, in Central Asia and neighboring regions, using the economic and resource potential of our countries to increase their competitiveness, successful integration into world economic relations, creation of conditions for a technological breakthrough, broad cultural interaction.
The head of state expressed confidence that the Turkmen-Uzbek political dialogue, the content and direction of trade and economic partnership and cultural and humanitarian ties should be comprehensive, based on an agreed strategy and close coordination of joint actions, their subordination, first of all, to the long-term interests of the two peoples and states. And the parties have every reason for the practical implementation of these tasks.
The topic of trust in interstate relations, the culture of dialogue is now acquiring global significance against the backdrop of the crisis phenomena that are observed in world politics and the economy. Setting an example of respect, equality and trust in relations with each other, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are actively promoting these ideas in the international arena in the modern era, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
The current topic of the current talks is the situation in Afghanistan. Turkmenistan takes an active part in ensuring peace and stability in the neighboring state, creating conditions for its economic and social recovery, and providing humanitarian assistance to the fraternal people.
Supporting the efforts of Uzbekistan to create favorable international conditions for achieving these goals, the head of state stressed the importance of the planned July 26 International Conference on Afghanistan in Tashkent.
Having identified water and water-energy issues among the most important areas of multilateral partnership of the Central Asian states, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also confirmed his readiness for the closest cooperation with the Republic of Uzbekistan, other founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, and international specialized structures.
Among the specific areas and industries where our countries have great opportunities for active cooperation, the agro-industrial complex, energy, chemical and petrochemical industries, mechanical engineering, textile and pharmaceutical industries were singled out.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to build partnerships between the business communities of our countries, regulate the activities of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone.
Speaking about the prospects for cooperation in the chemical industry, where a number of large contracts have already been signed, the Turkmen leader suggested exploring the possibilities for implementing joint projects, in particular, for the export of carbamide produced at Turkmen enterprises, as well as organizing the production of iodine, bromine and sodium sulfate in the territory Turkmenistan.
Noting the implemented large-scale energy project in the common asset - the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, the head of state announced his intention to consider, together with the Uzbek partners, opportunities for a significant increase in energy supplies and expansion of their transit configuration.
The unconditional priority of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is also the transport sector. As noted, the freight turnover between the two countries for 5 months of this year in railway transport amounted to more than 15 thousand units of wagons, and in road transport - more than 17 thousand units.
The conviction was expressed that the efforts of our countries can and should be aimed at achieving the main goal - the unification of the transport systems of Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In particular, Turkmenistan is ready to work together to develop the transport route Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Caspian Sea, then through the Black Sea ports with access to Europe.
In this context, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov put forward an initiative to organize in the near future a meeting of transport ministers of the countries participating in the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman-Qatar transport corridor project.
During the talks, due attention was paid to the topic of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. In this aspect, an important, deeply symbolic event will be the opening of the Tashkent park in the center of Ashgabat, the construction of which is at the final stage.
Offering to hold a Turkmen-Uzbek creative festival in Dashoguz this year, the President of Turkmenistan said that humanitarian ties between the two countries would continue to receive broad state support.
As a result of the talks, a solid package of documents was signed, designed to promote the further progressive development of fruitful interstate relations of a strategic nature. Among them: the Framework Agreement between the State Concern “Türkmenhimiýa” and the Joint-Stock Company “Uzkimyosanoat” (Republic of Uzbekistan) on the project of carrying out repair and restoration work and partial modernization of “Maryazot” (Turkmenistan); Agreement on cooperation between the State Concern “Türkmenhimiýa” and the Joint Stock Company “Uzkimyosanoat” (Republic of Uzbekistan) on strategic partnership and development of trade and economic cooperation; Protocol between the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the exchange of information on the movement of goods in mutual trade between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan; Technical conditions for the information exchange of preliminary information on goods and vehicles transported between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan; Memorandum of Understanding between the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan and the State Museum of the History of the Temurids of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Agreement between the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the development of transport and transit cooperation; Memorandum on further strengthening cooperation in the field of railway transport between the Agency “Turkmendemirýollary” and the Joint Stock Company “Uzbekiston temir yullari”; Program of cooperation between the Ministry of Adalat of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022-2023; Program between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on scientific and technical cooperation for 2022–2024; Agreement between the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan on holding a joint competition of initiative research projects; Program of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2023-2024; Cooperation Agreement between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the International Institute of Central Asia; ¬Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of tourism; ¬Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the management, protection and rational use of the water resources of the Amudarya River; Action Plan (Roadmap) for the practical implementation of the provisions of the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the establishment and regulation of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone - Trade Center; Program of trade and economic cooperation and development of industrial cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022–2025.
To the applause of the attendees, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev put their signatures under the Joint Statement.
The mutual interest of our neighboring countries in further diversification of productive contacts was confirmed during the First Turkmen-Uzbek regional forum held on July 13 in Bukhara, the regular meeting of the Business Council and bilateral meetings with the participation of heads of individual ministries and departments, representatives of public and private structures.
The concrete result of the meetings was the signing of bilateral documents aimed at realizing the existing impressive potential of trade and economic partnership. As part of the current state visit of the head of state to the neighboring country, the following were signed: Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and the State Committee for Forestry of the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of forestry; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan and the Agency for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of youth policy and the Action Plan to further expand cooperation in the field of television and radio broadcasting between the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography and the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan for 2022-2023 .
Along with this, a number of contracts were signed between the business structures of the two countries on the export and import of the furniture complex, confectionery, chemical and agricultural products. Agreements were also reached on the design of an enterprise for the production of cars in Turkmenistan and on the implementation of construction work in Uzbekistan.
In general, the number of contracts concluded between the business circles of friendly states amounted to over 450 million US dollars.
Emphasizing the great personal merit of the President of Uzbekistan in strengthening interstate ties, his constant attention to cooperation with Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited the head of Uzbekistan to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan at any time convenient for him.
At the end of the first day of the visit, the head of state planted a tree on the Alley of Honored Guests of the State Residence “Kuksaroy”. In this beautiful park, a tree is already growing, which at one time, during a visit to a friendly neighboring country, was planted by the Hero-Arkadag. This wonderful tradition has become another symbol of the strong ties of friendship and good neighborliness between the peoples of the two fraternal states.
On July 15th, as part of a state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with the leaders of the Upper House of the Uzbek Parliament Tanzila Narbayeva.
During the conversation, it was noted that close, proactive interaction through the legislature is the most important and integral part of the development of comprehensive Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation. The Parliamentary Friendship Groups established in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan play an important role in this.
On the same day, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the city of Samarkand, where, accompanied by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, he laid flowers at the Mausoleum of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, paying tribute to the memory of the outstanding statesman and political figure of Uzbekistan, who made a significant contribution to the development of friendly, fraternal Turkmen Uzbek relations.
The heads of state toured the sights of the historical and cultural complex of Samarkand, in particular, the Ulugbek Observatory, built in the first half of the 15th century, the Mausoleum of Tamerlane (“Gur-Emir”), Registan Square with the famous architectural ensemble of the 15th-17th centuries, including three madrasahs - Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tilla Corey.
In the Center for Reception of Distinguished Guests in honor of the President of Turkmenistan, an official dinner was given on behalf of the Uzbek side, during which performances by masters of art of the Republic of Uzbekistan took place.
Then Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev proceeded together to Samarkand International Airport.
Expressing deep satisfaction with the results of the high-level talks held the day before, the heads of the two states reaffirmed the continued commitment of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to friendly, good-neighbourly relations and the mutual intention of the parties to develop full-scale cooperation on a mutually beneficial, equal and strategic basis.
Having completed the program of the state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left by plane for his homeland.
Among other events of the past week, there was a telephone conversation on July 11th between the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Shentop, during which aspects of expanding the inter-parliamentary dialogue were discussed.
On the same day, Haji Arkadag, on behalf of the head of state, gave kurbanlyk-sadaqa, dedicating it to the memory of Shinzo Abe.
Members of the Government, heads of the country's military and law enforcement agencies, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan and international organizations took part in the event, which was held in the luxurious Arkadag Hotel.
Haji Arkadag, speaking to the participants, noted that, as the head of the Government of Japan, Shinzo Abe devoted his life to serving the interests of his country, maintained stable, mutually respectful relations with various states of the world, authoritative international organizations, and made his worthy contribution to strengthening and developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan.
The hero-Arkadag, who repeatedly met with the Japanese statesman and politician, also emphasized his high human qualities.
Those present honored the memory of Shinzo Abe with a minute of silence. After that, a prayer was read and kurbanlyk-sadaqah was given on behalf of Arkadagly Serdar.
Hero-Arkadag expressed condolences and sympathy to the leaders and representatives of the Embassy of Japan in Turkmenistan who took part in the event, as well as to the entire Japanese people, conveyed deep condolences on behalf of the head of Turkmenistan to Emperor Naruhito and the Prime Minister of the friendly country Fumio Kishida, as well as personally on his behalf and on behalf of my family, sincere words of empathy and support to the family of Shinzo Abe.
At the next, nineteenth meeting of the Mejlis Milli Gengesh of the sixth convocation, held via a digital system, draft laws of Turkmenistan, in particular, “On e-government” and “On dog breeding and cynological activities”, and a number of other legal acts were considered.
The documents developed in accordance with the priorities of the state policy of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and a comprehensive program to modernize the legislative and legal framework of the country were unanimously approved and adopted.
Such were the events of the past week, once again demonstrating the purposefulness of the peace and creation policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov aimed at the prosperity of the state and society, expanding friendly relations with countries and peoples of the world.