Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Active international cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is successfully developing on the principles of centuries-old friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect.

Evidence of this is the first foreign visit of the President of Uzbekistan, which took place exactly to Turkmenistan in March 2017. The result of the high-level meeting was the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are actively cooperating within the framework of international and regional structures such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Turkic States and others.

Both states are also in favor of improving the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and express their intention to cooperate in the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan attach great importance to the socio-economic development of Afghanistan, implementing transport projects of regional importance and providing electricity to the population of this country.

The two countries actively participate in the projects of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia. The Center contributes to the promotion of partnerships between the states of Central Asia in cooperation with regional and international organizations.

At the same time, Uzbekistan welcomes the successful holding in Ashgabat, on the initiative of Turkmenistan, of the first inter-parliamentary forum and the first meeting within the framework of the Dialogue of Women of Central Asia and Russia. 

It is important to note that Tashkent and Ashgabat are making a lot of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation. The countries take a unified position that strengthening friendship and mutual trust, expanding cooperation in the region is an important factor in maintaining peace and stability in Central Asia.

In this context, the interaction of all countries of the region in the implementation of the agreements of the Consultative Meetings of the Leaders of Central Asia, initiated by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is relevant.

The joint efforts of the countries of the region can ensure stability, security and sustainable development in Central Asia. The trends observed in recent years to strengthen mutual understanding, friendship and good neighborliness have significantly increased the potential for interaction and make it possible to use huge opportunities for promoting joint projects of cooperation between countries.

Shavkat Alimbekov 

Leading Research Fellow, International Institute of Central Asia