Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Upon his arrival in Turkmenbashi, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

At the beginning of the conversation, the President of Uzbekistan warmly congratulated his counterpart on the successful organization of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, emphasizing the key importance of its agenda for ensuring sustainable development across the entire region.

The parties discussed pressing issues concerning the further strengthening of Uzbek-Turkmen relations of good neighborliness and strategic partnership, including the implementation of agreements reached during their April meeting in Samarkand.

It was noted that cooperation between the two countries has been steadily and dynamically expanding, based on principles of friendship, trust, and mutual respect for interests. Since the beginning of this year, bilateral trade has reached $600 million. Active collaboration is also growing in industry, energy, transport, agriculture, water management, and other sectors of the economy.

Particular attention was given to the creation of the Shavat–Dashoguz cross-border trade zone, the development of interregional ties, and humanitarian exchanges. In the run-up to upcoming high-level meetings, sessions of intergovernmental commissions, the Business Council, the Regional Forum, as well as a series of cultural events are planned.

The two sides also exchanged views on the agenda of the UN Conference and the preparations for the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, which will take place this autumn in Tashkent.