OREANDA-NEWS. October 20, 2010. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Turkmenistan at the invitation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

During the talks held in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, the leaders of the two states exchanged views on a wide range of issues regarding Turkmen-Uzbek relations and topical issues of international and regional politics of mutual interest.

The heads of the states noted that the bilateral top level agreements had laid a reliable foundation for further expansion of mutually advantageous bilateral relations in various fields of political, trade-economic, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. It was confirmed that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had firm good-neighbourly and friendly relations, steadily enhanced cooperation in all spheres of bilateral relations. Emphasis was put on the willingness of the two friendly states to develop the mechanisms for interstate and intergovernmental cooperation aimed at implementing effectively of the agreements reached.

The sides confirmed that the outcomes of top-level talks and bilateral consultations at different levels, including heads of ministries and departments, visits of government delegations laid the firm groundwork for further enhancement of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in all spheres of bilateral relations.

The Presidents reaffirmed that their countries stood ready to deepen mutually beneficial partnerships in the trade and economic sphere and noted that the implementation of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the period of 2008-2012 would contribute to furthering it. Emphasis was put on the mutual willingness to intensify cooperation in the transport and communications, agricultural and water sectors.

The activity of the Turkmen-Uzbek commission for trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation, which had held its fifth meeting on January 13, 2010 in Ashgabat, was evaluated highly. Emphasis was put on the increased volume of bilateral trade as well as the need to use all the potential to foster bilateral cooperation.

The sides confirmed that their states were intended to deepen collaboration in the spheres of culture, arts, tourism, sports and enhance contacts in these spheres. The progress on humanitarian cooperation between the two countries was emphasized.

The positive outcomes of the Programme of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period 2008-2010 and the importance of signing the new Programme of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period of 2011-2013 during the Uzbek leader’s visit to Turkmenistan were highlighted.

The sides underscored the importance of holding the Festival of Turkmen-Uzbek Friendship on the initiative of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that promoted the centuries-old ties of friendship between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, contributed to expanding and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation based on mutual confidence and understanding between the two countries.

An exchange of views spotlighted the mutual intention of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to promote peace, security and stability at the regional and global levels.

The Presidents stated that the awareness of the common needs worldwide by the world community, the understanding of the need to counter jointly global challenges and threats, the readiness to implement practical steps in this field were the groundwork of international relations today.

The Presidents focused on the need to foster cooperation in combating international terrorism, drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other threats and challenges to international security.

The leaders of the states reaffirmed their commitment to restore peace and stability in neighbouring Afghanistan. In this regard, they focused underlined the importance of the initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to develop the effective new mechanisms for facilitating the negotiating process to resolve the Afghan crisis in collaboration with international organisations and countries neighbouring on Afghanistan.

Discussing the regional issues, the leaders of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan noted that effective water management served common interests and was aimed at enhancing cooperation, sustainable development and improving the standards of living standards of peoples in Central Asia.

In this regard, the sides stressed that water and energy problems facing Central Asia should be considered on the basis of universally recognized norms and principles of international law, in the interests of all countries in the region and with the active involvement of the international community through the United Nations and other international organisations.

The Presidents underscored the need to conduct further consultations in the framework of international organisations that they were members of. The sides confirmed the importance of enhancing the role of the United Nations and its institutions as a universal tool in addressing global issues, achieving sustainable development, strengthening security and stability in the world.

The Presidents expressed belief that Turkmen-Uzbek relations based on historical relationships were at a qualitatively new level and fully complied with the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding meeting the fundamental interests of peoples of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov expressed gratitude to the Turkmen leader President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen people for the heartfelt welcome and hospitality extended to the Uzbek delegation and invited the President of Turkmenistan to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan at any convenient time. Dates of the visit will be adjusted through diplomatic channels.