On August 22–23, in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid a working visit to Turkmenistan. Within the framework of the visit, a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan was organized, Adyrna reports.
The negotiations were attended by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
The parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning the development of multilateral cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, transport and communications, energy, and humanitarian areas.
Mirziyoyev congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the successful holding in Avaza of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, and also sincerely congratulated the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the adoption of the peace declaration with Armenia.
Special attention was paid to the issues of transport connections and logistics. The leaders emphasized the importance of effectively using the transit potential of the three countries and combining existing and prospective transport corridors. The relevance of the construction of the China–Uzbekistan railway and the implementation of the Trans-Afghan Corridor project was also mentioned.
Plans to develop the Middle Corridor, including the Zangezur Corridor, were supported. The issues of increasing the throughput capacity of the Turkmenbashi and Baku ports, creating modern logistics infrastructure, conducting a coordinated tariff policy, and digitalization of processes were discussed.
In order to ensure energy security, the parties expressed interest in deepening cooperation, developing export corridors, and implementing projects on supplying “green” energy to Europe. Prospects of partnership in the exploration and development of hydrocarbon deposits on the Caspian shelf were also considered.
Special attention was given to increasing trade turnover and developing industrial cooperation. It was noted that in recent years, Uzbekistan’s mutual trade with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan has doubled, with the share of industrial products reaching 40 percent.
The President of Uzbekistan proposed to jointly develop a comprehensive plan of action for the formation of sustainable trade and logistics chains, the establishment of distribution centers, the harmonization of phytosanitary requirements, the digital labeling of products, and the expansion of electronic trading platforms.
Following the negotiations, the three leaders signed a Joint Statement and a number of documents, including memorandums on cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, shipbuilding, and civil aviation, as well as an agreement on cooperation between commodity exchanges.
At the joint press conference, the leaders highly appreciated the results of the negotiations and noted the importance of the agreements reached in deepening strategic partnership.
It was stated that joint work will make it possible to increase the volume of mutual trade, accelerate the implementation of transport and energy projects, as well as to activate cooperation in the humanitarian field.
Within the framework of the program, the leaders watched a performance of the national “Galkynysh” equestrian group. The guests were also shown the performance of the Akhal-Teke horses, widely known outside Turkmenistan.
As a sign of respect and friendship, the National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented the President of Uzbekistan with a camel and a calf as a symbol of prosperity and abundance.
At the conclusion of the working visit, the parties confirmed their readiness to continue active and effective joint work. At the airport of the city of Turkmenbashi, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was seen off by the official representatives of Turkmenistan.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev returned to Tashkent.
