Turkmens, Uzbeks want joint future - visiting Uzbek leader

During a visit to Turkmenistan on 18 October, Uzbek President Islom Karimov said the two countries wanted a joint future. Speaking before a concert given in his honour after talks with his Turkmen counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Karimov said the following, among other things, in remarks broadcast on Turkmen TV the same day:

"I would like to assure everybody present at this great, very impressive palace, the Turkmen people, that for us, primarily me and our people, the title I was presented with is first and foremost a sign that we acknowledge our common roots and want to see our future together."

The president also said that documents reached during the talks would benefit the two nations:

"Today we, the respected president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and I, as friends - as real friends - discussed all issues relating to our present day and future. I would like to point out that everything we agreed today, the documents we signed, will serve the benefit of both Turkmens and Uzbeks, the people of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, alike."