OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2009. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov paid an official visit to Turkmenistan on the invitation of the President of this country Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov, reported the Official website gov.uz.

Uzbek and Turkmen people have since ancient times enriched the culture of each other and supported trade relations. The scientific and literary heritage of our ancestors is considered common heritage.

After the proclamation of independence, the friendly relations between the two states started developing at a new level. Both Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are interested in developing cooperation, which can be proved by the regular meetings of the heads of two countries. President of Uzbekistan visited Turkmenistan in 2007, and the head of Turkmenistan was in Uzbekistan in 2008 and 2009.

In Ashgabat, the two presidents held a face-to-face meeting and considered cooperation prospects, including political, economic and humanitarian relations, as well as regional and international issues, including regional security and stability.

The bilateral relations are currently developing on the basis of the Inter-state agreement of strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation signed in 2007. The heads of the two countries stressed that there was a huge potential for further expansion of cooperation.

During the talks, issues of efficient use of water energy resources in the region were considered. The presidents noted that construction of hydro technical structures on the trans-boundary rivers should be preceded by consultations with all countries of the region and the expertise of the international specialists.

The presidents continued their talks at the meeting of the official delegations of the two countries.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have large deposits of energy resources and are developing their oil and gas sectors. The two countries are participating in various multilateral projects, one of which is the new Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are among the world’s leading natural gas producers and exporters. The new pipeline will bring both states not only economic, but also political and humanitarian benefit, since it will contribute to the strengthening of the relations, create infrastructure and new workplaces.

The sides considered expansion of cooperation in the international transportation area. Thanks to effective cooperation the volume of Uzbek and Turkmen export and import cargo transported via the territory of the two states comprises almost 2.5 million tons.

The two countries are also interested in expanding cooperation in the agricultural sector. Uzbekistan can export cotton harvesting machines, tractors, trailers and mineral fertilizers to Turkmenistan. In 2008, during the visit of Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov to Uzbekistan, the sides signed an agreement on agricultural cooperation.

Tourism is another priority area of cooperation. Development of ties in this area could attract more tourists and create a basis for wider cooperation of the two states’ tourist and passenger transportation companies.

Uzbekistan currently exports to Turkmenistan services, foodstuffs, mechanical equipment, transport, glass, ferrous metals, optical devices, chemical and other products. Turkmenistan exports plastic products, services, mineral and inorganic chemical substances. The trade volume in the past two years increased more than twice.

The negotiations also touched upon humanitarian cooperation. The representatives of culture of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan regularly participate in festivals, exhibitions and forums organized in two countries.

After the talks, the presidents signed the Joint Uzbek-Turkmen Communique and a protocol on introduction of changes in the intergovernmental agreement on mutual visits of citizens and simplified procedures for citizens living in border areas.

The countries also signed an intergovernmental agreement on improvement of the activity of the Joint Uzbek-Turkmen commission for trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation, as well as a program of cooperation between the foreign ministries for 2010-2011.

Speaking to journalists after the talks, President Islam Karimov said relations between the two countries were developing successfully. “The economic cooperation has notably expanded in the recent years, the mutual trade volume increased more than twice.”

“We highly value our relation with Uzbekistan. Cooperation of our states is based on principles of national, regional and international development,” President Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov said.

On the second day of the visit, Islam Karimov, together with presidents of Turkmenistan, China and Kazakhstan participated in the launch of the international pipeline in Turkmenabad.

While in Ashgabat, President Islam Karimov also held negotiations with the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao.

The leaders considerer issues of bilateral cooperation and expresses satisfaction with the level of the two states’ relations.

“We highly value every meeting with the head of China and the growing cooperation with this country. Uzbekistan considers China to be one of its most reliable partners,” Islam Karimov said.