Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - His Excellency

To the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Dear Shavkat Miromonovich!

My dear brother!

I have the honor to express my deep gratitude to you for your written message addressed to me, in which, on the basis of a deep analysis of the traditionally fraternal Turkmen-Uzbek ties, you note the broad opportunities for strengthening interaction between our countries.

Expressing my full agreement with your assessments of the current state of bilateral cooperation and the prospects for its development, I would like to emphasize that relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan are in the nature of a strategic partnership.

With great satisfaction I would like to note that the friendly and fraternal ties between our peoples, which have been dynamically developing over the years in accordance with the principles of good neighborliness, respect and mutual support, have now acquired a new content.

Regular contacts at the highest and high levels play an important role in maintaining a high level of bilateral cooperation. I recall with special warmth our meetings with you in Ashgabat and Tashkent, during which we discussed various aspects of Turkmen-Uzbek interaction, and also together took part in the opening of many important cultural sites.

It is pleasant to note that a bright symbol of the eternal friendship and brotherhood of our peoples is the opening in the city of Tashkent of a street named after the Turkmen poet, philosopher and classic of literature Makhtumkuli, and a memorable bas-relief with his image, the Ashgabat culture and recreation park, as well as the House of Turkmen - Uzbek friendship and cultural complex "Uly Khovly" in Khorezm region of Uzbekistan.

In turn, in the capital of Turkmenistan, on the central city alley "Ylham" ("Inspiration"), a huge monument to the great poet and thinker of the East Alisher Navoi was erected, and one of the central streets of Ashgabat, located in the immediate vicinity of the Presidential Palace, also bears the name of this outstanding poet.

In addition, in 2017, as part of your state visit to Turkmenistan in the city of Turkmenabat, a monument was unveiled to the great son of the Uzbek people, an outstanding state and political figure, the first President of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganievich Karimov, and his name was given to one of the streets of the administrative center of Lebap velayat.

Dear Shavkat Miromonovich!

At the same time, I would like to inform you that just yesterday a tender was announced for the design and construction of a modern park of culture and recreation in the center of Ashgabat called "Tashkent" in honor of the capital of Uzbekistan.

In this regard, I invite Uzbek companies to take part in this tender.

Along with this, I would also like to share with you one more important news. Recently, we announced the winner of the competition for the best socio-economic and cultural indicators at the end of 2020 among the etraps of Turkmenistan. The winner of this competition was the etrap named after S.A. Niyazov of the Dashoguz velayat, which received an award of 1 million US dollars. It is pleasant to note that 99 percent of the population of this etrap are ethnic Uzbeks.

Cultural and humanitarian ties play an important role in the development of relations between the two countries. Developing bilateral cooperation, we rely on the old traditions of brotherhood and mutual sympathy of the Turkmen and Uzbek peoples, the commonality of their basic spiritual and historical values.

In this context, it is also pleasant to note that on 17 February 2021, an event was held in Ashgabat to mark the 538th anniversary of the birth of the great Uzbek poet and statesman Zakhiriddin Muhammad Babur.

I am convinced that the mutual holding of such events greatly contributes to the popularization of common cultures, as well as our historical personalities, and strengthens friendship between our peoples.

My dear brother!

Based on the principles of positive neutrality, Turkmenistan always acts as an active participant in regional and interregional cooperation.

At present, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, large-scale interregional projects are being implemented in the energy, transport and communications sectors, designed to give an effective impetus to the sustainable development of the region.

Based on the foregoing, we fully welcome and support the initiative of Uzbekistan to hold an international high-level conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectedness” on 15-16 July 2021 in the city of Tashkent. Challenges and Opportunities”.

Attaching great importance to this forum, Turkmenistan will send an official delegation to participate in its work. I am sure that the work of the conference will be productive, and the results will be a significant contribution to further deepening interaction and multifaceted cooperation between the countries of Central and South Asia.

Taking this opportunity, I wish you, dear Shavkat Miromonovich, good health, great success in your multifaceted state activities, and peace, prosperity and prosperity to the brotherly people of Uzbekistan.

With deep respect,

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov,

President of Turkmenistan