Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the invitation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on 20-21 October 2022, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Turkmenistan. The agenda of the Uzbek-Turkmen events at the highest level will be extremely rich and aimed at achieving concrete practical results in the interests of the two fraternal countries and peoples.

Uzbekistan attaches particular priority to the further development and strengthening of cooperation with Turkmenistan, close cooperation with which is based on deep historical roots, commonality and closeness of national traditions, religion, language and culture.

At the present stage, relations between the two fraternal states are successfully developing on the principles of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect. The basis for strengthening the multifaceted Uzbek-Turkmen strategic partnership should be considered the established open and trusting dialogue between the heads of the two countries.

A solid foundation for the current level of relations between the two fraternal peoples was laid by the firm political will and joint efforts of Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Thus, the first foreign visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan in March 2017 became a historic event in the development of Uzbek-Turkmen relations. An epoch-making result of negotiations at the highest level was the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership, which predetermined the consistent implementation of the huge potential that the parties have in the political, trade, economic, transport and communication, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres.

In 2022, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Serdar Berdimuhamedov have already met five times. The first state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan gave a qualitatively new dynamic to the strengthening of bilateral relations of strategic partnership between the two countries.

It has also become a good tradition to hold regular telephone conversations at the highest level, during which topical issues on the bilateral and international agenda are discussed. It is important to emphasize that contacts are always filled with specific practical content.

An active dialogue between the countries is also carried out at the governmental level, in practice confirming the readiness of the parties to help strengthen ties and resolve pressing issues. The Uzbek-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Joint Commission on Water Management Issues, the Interregional Forum between the border regions of the two countries, as well as the Business Council are successfully operating.

Thus, on the eve of the visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan, Bukhara hosted the first Uzbek-Turkmen interregional forum, a meeting of the Business Council and an exhibition of enterprises of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The central place in the relations of states is given to trade, economic and investment interaction.

Despite the difficult global trends, only in the last five years the trade turnover between the countries has increased by 4.3 times.

According to the State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, if in 2016 mutual trade indicators amounted to just over US$200 million, by the end of 2021 this figure increased to US$902 million. It should be noted that trade turnover has never shown such dynamics before.

Today, Turkmenistan is among the top ten countries in terms of volumes and growth rates in the export of goods (agricultural machinery, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, mineral fertilizers, building materials, chemical and finished textile products) and services of Uzbekistan.

The most significant for Tashkent and Ashgabat is the strengthening of interaction in a number of joint cooperation projects in such areas as the textile, construction, chemical and electrical industries.

In recent years, the number of joint ventures, having increased from 11 to 160, has grown 15 times.

A significant contribution to the development of business relations is made by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which regularly attract representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to participate in joint events, including business forums, cooperation exchanges, exhibitions and fairs.

On the sidelines of the first Uzbek-Turkmen forum of interregional cooperation this summer, following the results of targeted meetings of participants in the B2G and B2B format, investment and trade agreements totaling more than US$450 million were signed.

The sphere of transport communications plays a priority role in bilateral relations. The volumes of goods transported through the roads and railways of the two states, which are also sent in transit to third countries, are consistently increasing.

At the end of 2021, the volume of international road freight transportation amounted to 1.96 million tons, an increase of 17 percent. A similar positive trend is observed in the first nine months of this year: the total volume of international cargo transportation increased by 36 percent and amounted to about 1.9 million tons.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are strengthening regional cooperation in the energy sector. Both states are partners in such large regional energy projects as the TUTAP power supply network (Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Tajikistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan), the Turkmenistan - Uzbekistan - Kazakhstan - China gas pipeline, which are considered as key factors in ensuring regional stability and development.

Cooperation in the field of water management is being dynamically strengthened. All issues are resolved in the spirit of good neighborliness, mutual understanding and mutual consideration of each other’s interests on a long-term basis.

The signed Agreement on the management, protection and rational use of the water resources of the Amudarya River should be considered as a demonstration of such an approach. The document regulates all areas of interaction between the two countries related to the transboundary river, including taking into account the impact of climate change on the entire Central Asian region.

The cultural and humanitarian sphere remains an important area of cooperation. Today there is a huge mutual interest in the art and literature of the two fraternal states.

Figures of science, education and culture closely interact and take an active part in all events organized on the territory of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In September of this year, days of Turkmen cinema were held as part of the Tashkent International Film Festival "Silk Road".

Uzbeks and Turkmens are heirs and keepers of the richest cultural and scientific traditions. The common heritage of our peoples is the work of the great poets and thinkers Alisher Navoi and Magtymguly Fragi.

A striking symbol of strong friendship, unity and cultural closeness of our peoples are the opening in the city of Tashkent of the street of the outstanding Turkmen poet, philosopher and classic of literature Makhtumkuli Fragi and a bas-relief with his image, the launch of the Ashgabat park, the establishment of the House of Uzbek-Turkmen friendship and the Ulli hovli complex » in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan.

In turn, Alisher Navoi Street was opened in the capital of Turkmenistan, which crosses Makhtumkuli Avenue, where the Tashkent park was built.

Uzbekistan has created all the necessary conditions for the development of the national culture, traditions and customs of the Turkmen living in our country. At the same time, great importance is given to public diplomacy, which serves to comprehensively strengthen cultural ties between the two peoples.

In order to carefully preserve and develop the culture and traditions of the Turkmen people in the regions of our country, where citizens of the Turkmen nationality live compactly, cultural and educational events are held and various projects are being implemented.

Tashkent and Ashgabat are no less active in dialogue on the global arena, actively supporting each other within the framework of international and regional organizations, including at the UN, CIS, IFAS, ECO, OIC and other structures.

An important mechanism for interaction has become the regular holding of Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia. Within the framework of this format, the most pressing issues of strengthening regional partnership are discussed and mutually acceptable decisions are made in the common interests of the fraternal peoples.

Given the long-term nature of the Uzbek-Turkmen multifaceted cooperation and the firm intention of our countries to strengthen the strategic partnership, as well as in order to fill it with new practical content, the following areas may become key priorities for the further development of interaction.

First, the increase in trade and the development of industrial cooperation. Of course, the countries, having great potential, are interested in increasing the volume and diversification of mutual trade. This will be facilitated by ensuring the full implementation of the documents signed during the current visit, as well as a solid package of trade contracts and industrial cooperation projects reached earlier as part of a meeting of the business circles of the two countries.

Another important driver of economic cooperation should be considered the expansion of cooperation between enterprises of the agro-industrial complex, automobile construction and light industry, transport and communications, as well as the involvement of companies from the two countries in the implementation of large infrastructure projects in the territories of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The Uzbek-Turkmen border trade zone being created, the stone-laying ceremony of which will take place during the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Ashgabat, will contribute to the growth of trade volumes, promote the development of industrial cooperation and the implementation of joint projects, and most importantly, the creation of new jobs.

Secondly, the diversification of transport and logistics routes in the region. Our countries are interested in deepening close cooperation in the field of transport, which is of key importance in realizing the transit potential of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The integration of the communication systems of the two countries allows not only to carry out cargo transportation through the territory of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan and back, but also to provide the shortest access to the markets of the Middle East.

Systematic mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at further optimizing tariffs and providing favorable conditions for transit transportation of foreign trade goods will also serve to increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of international transport routes running through the territories of the two countries.

In addition, the parties are interested in joint work on the full implementation of the Ashgabat Agreement, which complements the subregional North-South transport corridor, which will multiply the volume of transit traffic.

Thirdly, cooperation in the water-environmental sphere. This direction is one of the key factors of well-being and sustainable development throughout Central Asia. At the present stage, close cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in the water management sector, ecology and environmental protection issues can rightfully be called exemplary and most effective in the region.

The Joint Statement of the Presidents of the two countries, adopted in 2022, notes the importance of continuing a constructive dialogue in the field of equitable and rational use of water resources of the transboundary rivers of Central Asia.

It is important that the parties consider the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea as a universal platform for interaction between the countries of Central Asia in the implementation of environmental and scientific and technical projects and programs aimed at the environmental rehabilitation of the areas affected by the Aral catastrophe.

An important role in this should be played by the work of the joint Intergovernmental Water Commission, as well as the Agreement on the Amu Darya River, signed in the summer of 2022.

Fourthly, the intensification of interaction in the cultural and humanitarian sphere acts as a locomotive for strengthening relations of friendship and good neighborliness. In this direction, links between organizations, cultural and art figures, research centers, higher educational institutions and the media are becoming important.

Realizing their historical responsibility for maintaining and strengthening the centuries-old ties of friendship, brotherhood and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan create favorable conditions for the development of their native language, culture, traditions and customs, and support the implementation of mutual translations of works of literary classics and contemporary authors.

Further expansion of cultural exchanges will be served by regular holding of the Days of Culture and Cinema of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as active contacts between scientific institutions, art and theater groups.

It is also important to promote in every possible way the organization of joint events aimed at supporting the youth of the two countries, including their spiritual and moral education, encouraging their talents and aspirations in the interests of society.

Fifthly, promoting the achievement of peace and stability in Afghanistan, its transformation into a peaceful and prosperous country, while respecting the path of political and socio-economic development of their state chosen by the Afghan people.

Here, too, Tashkent and Ashgabat have a common understanding of the need to maintain trade, economic, transport, logistics and energy ties with Afghanistan, implement infrastructure projects, and provide comprehensive international humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

In general, relations between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are based on the common long-term interests of the two fraternal states and peoples. Our countries are actively strengthening multifaceted cooperation in such areas as regional trade, transport communications, energy, regional stability and security.

Mutual support and close coordination in the joint promotion of initiatives, as well as the desire of the leaders of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to strengthen practical mutually beneficial cooperation at the bilateral and regional levels, of course, serve to maintain peace in the region, ensure security, and are a factor in the sustainable development of all of Central Asia.

Anvar Nasirov, Director of the International Institute of Central Asia

Sherzod Faiziev, Head of Department, International Institute of Central Asia