Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- For centuries, the peoples of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have been linked by a single historical and cultural space, the similarity of religious values, traditions and customs.

Today, centuries-old friendship, good neighborliness, as well as close trade and economic ties are a solid foundation for the development of a strategic partnership between the two fraternal countries.

An important contribution to the strengthening of Uzbek-Turkmen relations, undoubtedly, was made by the trusting relationship that was established between the leaders of both states.

It is noteworthy that in March 2017, as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev made his first foreign visit to Turkmenistan. As a result of the visit, a historic document was signed - the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

On 14-15 July 2022, at the invitation of the Leader of Uzbekistan, the first State visit of Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Uzbekistan was made within the region, which confirms the desire to develop good neighborly relations between the countries and shows the important role of Uzbekistan in the foreign policy of Turkmenistan.

The dynamics of the development of trade relations testify to the intentions to strengthen Uzbek-Turkmen cooperation.

So, on the eve of the visit to Bukhara on 13 July 2022, a forum of entrepreneurs was held, at which a solid package of documents on the implementation of joint projects worth over US$450 million was signed.

The immediate prospect is the task of bringing the level of mutual trade to US $2 billion, which is supported by the intention to open the Uzbek-Turkmen border trade zone and the emergence of trading houses of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in Ashgabat and Tashkent.

It is noteworthy that 19 bilateral agreements were signed during the visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This allows us to bring cooperation between countries to a qualitatively new level of strategic partnership.

In this regard, I would like to note that a special place among the signed agreements is occupied by the Agreement on the Development of Transport and Transit Cooperation, which, taking into account the geostrategic position of our countries, should help increase the transport and transit potential of our countries.

For 2021 freight traffic has grown by 17% and is on track to increase further. For this, it is planned to provide benefits and discounts for the transportation of goods. 

The Joint Statement of the Heads of the two states, signed the day before, deserves special mention, in which they noted the important role of interaction between legislative bodies, including within the framework of parliamentary cooperation groups functioning in the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The document emphasizes the successful holding of the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the countries of Central Asia and Russia on 12 May 2022 in Ashgabat, and also expresses the readiness of the Turkmen side to provide all possible support to Uzbekistan in organizing and holding the first Regional Parliamentary Forum of the countries of Central Asia in Tashkent in 2022.

In addition, during the negotiations, the forum of the first Dialogue of Women of the Countries of Central Asia and Russia, held in Ashgabat on 13 May 2022, was especially noted. Thus, the presidents of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women, who play a key role in ensuring peace and harmony in society and the full realization of human potential in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In general, it can be noted that the Uzbek-Turkmen strategic partnership, based on the principles of friendship, good neighborliness, mutual respect and trust, serves as a vivid example of how relations between two fraternal peoples can develop and develop in the modern world.

Zulfiya Turanazarova

Leading Research Fellow, MICA