Uzbek President Islam Karimov was given an official welcome and met Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

"Opportunities, of which there are a lot today. We are interested in multi-faceted, mutually-beneficial cooperation. But there are realities to be reckoned with, which determine the future. Regional security is the number one priority at the present stage." This is how the Uzbek leader described this process [relations].

On the same day, a symbolic event took place that shows how highly the sides respect one other: The honorary title of "Hormatly Il Yasulysy" [The Honoured Elder] - one of Turkmenistan’s highest state awards - was conferred on Uzbek President Islam Karimov.