The President of Uzbekistan: Our countries have every opportunity to maintain positive dynamics and double the volume of trade in the coming years

TASHKENT, July 15. Yesterday, talks between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.

According to the press service of the Head of our state, during the talks, it was emphasized that common historical roots and religion, the similarity of languages, culture and traditions are a solid foundation of interaction between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

“We consider the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan as a vivid confirmation of the inviolability of the centuries-old ties of friendship and good-neighborliness between our peoples, as well as the continuity of the course to deepen bilateral relations”, the Head of the state said.

It was emphasized that strengthening bilateral cooperation with Turkmenistan is an undoubted priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy.

“I believe that today’s talks will play an important role in further development of comprehensive cooperation, further strengthen the strategic partnership of the two fraternal countries and bring it to a qualitatively new level”, the President of Uzbekistan noted.

It was noted with satisfaction that our countries have every opportunity to maintain positive dynamics and double the volume of trade in the coming years.

This will be facilitated by the decisions taken on the creation of Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan border trade zone and the opening of trading houses in the capitals of the countries.

The parties highly appreciated the strategic partnership in the chemical industry. It is planned to enhance cooperation in the automotive industry, electrical engineering, textile and pharmaceutical industries, food industry and agriculture.

To this end, a medium-term program of trade-economic cooperation and the development of industrial cooperation will be adopted. In addition, a joint project office will be created to promote the most promising projects.

The main attention was paid to the development of cooperation in transport. Last year, cargo transportation increased by 17 percent, and this trend continues this year. The parties expressed interest in creating favorable conditions for the effective use of the unique transit potential of the countries of the region, including through the mutual provision of benefits and discounts for the transportation of goods.

Touching upon the issues of water-energy interaction, the heads of state noted the successful work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Water Management Issues. The President of Uzbekistan noted with satisfaction the signing of a historical Agreement on Amudarya today, which will serve to ensure the rational use of water resources in the region.

Uzbekistan’s interest was expressed in enhancing collaboration in the energy sector, including the supply of electricity, gas and petroleum products from Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen side expressed interest in diversifying and increasing trade turnover, developing industrial cooperation.

“The agro-industrial complex, energy, chemical and petrochemical industries, mechanical engineering, textiles and pharmaceuticals are among the specific industries in which our countries have great potential. There are wide opportunities for building partnerships between business communities. In recent years, cross-border relations have intensified. We look forward to continuing and enhancing cooperation with Uzbekistan”, the President of Turkmenistan noted.

Following the talks, the heads of state instructed the governments of the two countries to ensure the unconditional implementation of the reached agreements and to report monthly on the progress of their implementation.

“Dunyo” IA