As earlier reported, President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov is paying official visit to Turkmenistan on invitation of his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov.

The joint statement of the two presidents said that the negations were held in friendly and complete mutual understanding and the leaders of two states exchanged opinion on wide-range issues of Turkmen-Uzbek relations, actual problems of international and regional character, representing mutual interest.

Presidents underlined that bilateral agreements, achieved in high level, created firm ground for further broadening mutual beneficial bilateral relations in various spheres of political, trade-economic, scientific-technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. It was said that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have firm good neighborhood and friendly relations and the cooperation in all spheres is growing. The statement noted intention of two friendly states to develop mechanisms on inter-state and inter-government interaction, directed at effective implementation of achieved agreements.

The sides confirmed that the results of the meeting of presidents of two states and bilateral consultations in various levels, including heads of ministries and departments, visits of official delegations are firm foundation for further expansion of mutual beneficial cooperation between two states in all spheres of bilateral relations.

Presidents confirmed intention to develop further mutual beneficial partnership in trade-economic sphere and underlined that agreement between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on economic cooperation for 2008-2012 will serve for its further expansion. The sides underlined mutual readiness to boost cooperation in transport and transport communications, as well as in agriculture.

The work of joint Turkmen-Uzbek commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation, fifth session of which was held in Ashgabat on 13 January 2010, was highly rated. The sides noted the growth of mutual trade and underlined necessity to use all existing potential for further development of bilateral cooperation.

The sides confirmed mutual interest in further deepening relations in culture, art, tourism, sports and boosting contacts in these spheres. The sides noted gradual character of humanitarian relations development between people of two states.

Presidents positively rated the results of implementation of Programme on cooperation between Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Uzbekistan in cultural-humanitarian sphere for 2008-2010 and underlined importance of signing within the visit of new Programme on cooperation between Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Uzbekistan in cultural-humanitarian sphere for 2011-2013.

The sides stated importance of holding of the Turkmen-Uzbek Friendship Festival in Dashoguz city on initiative of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, which helped to strengthen multi-century friendly ties between people of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, deepen and expand cooperation of two states based on principles of trust and mutual understanding.

Discussing actual international issues, the sides underlined mutual intention of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to assist in strengthening peace, security and stability in regional and global scale. Presidents stated that understanding of common goals, joint combating modern threats and challenges, readiness to carry out practical steps in this direction, currently, is foundation of international relations.

President underlined necessity for further developing cooperation in fighting international terrorism, illegal drug turnover, transnational organized crime and other threats and challenged to international security.

Heads of the states confirmed their devotion to rehabilitation of peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan. At the same time, they underlined importance of initiatives of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on creating effective mechanisms directed at activating negotiations processes on settlement of Afghan crisis with participation of international structures and neighboring states of Afghanistan.

Discussing regional issues, the leaders of two stated underlined that rational use of water resources will serve common interests and directed at strengthening cooperation, sustainable development and raising of life standards of population in Central Asia.

At the same time, the sides underlined that water-energy issues in Central Asian should be considered based on commonly accepted norms and principles of international law, taking into accounts interests of all countries in the region and active participation of international community in the person of the UN and other authoritative international organizations.

Presidents noted necessity to continue consultations within international organizations, in which the countries have membership. The sides confirmed importance of raising role of the UN and its institutions as universal tool in solving global issues, ensuring sustainable development, strengthening security and stability in the world.

Presidents expressed assurance that the Turkmen-Uzbek relations, based on historically developed relations, are in quality new level and fully meets to spirit of friendship and mutual understanding, meeting basic interests of people of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, all Turkmen people for worm receipt and hospitality showed to the Uzbek delegation and invited Turkmen President to pay official visit to Uzbekistan in any convenient time. The terms of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels, the statement said.