The session was attended by representatives of a number of ministries and departments, firms and companies from the two countries operating in trade and economy, the fuel and energy sector, banking and finance, education, agriculture and water resources, transport and transport infrastructure, customs, sports, culture and tourism.

The Uzbek minister of foreign economic relations, investment and trade, Elyor Ganiyev, who is also a co-chairman of the joint commission, said at the meeting that cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was consistently developing in all areas. Agreements signed at meetings of the two heads of state serve as a key legal basis for this. Specifically, the state visit by Uzbek President Islam Karimov to Turkmenistan in October 2007 and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Uzbekistan in March 2008 opened new opportunities for raising bilateral relations to a new level.

The Turkmen minister of trade and foreign economic relations, Nokerguly Atagulyyew, who is also a co-chairman of the joint commission, said that Turkmenistan supported the consistent development of cooperation with Uzbekistan in all areas.

Over 100 documents on mutual cooperation were signed between our countries. Bilateral relations are developing in line with agreements on friendship, cooperation and mutual help, as well as on strengthening mutual trust and developing cooperation. The holding of regular sessions of the joint commission shows that the sides are interested in stepping up economic partnership.

Economic reforms in Uzbekistan are praised; trade between the countries was over US$132 million in 2008, which is 38% more on 2007.