Afterwards, Uzbek President Islom Karimov and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a statement for the representatives of local and foreign media outlets on the results of the talks held [today]. Islom Karimov expressed his views on the results of today’s meetings in this way:

President Islam Karimov said: “We have thoroughly and comprehensively discussed a wide range of bilateral relations, exchanged views on topical issues of regional and international policy, including the situation in Afghanistan. A special emphasis was put on discussing the current state of and prospects for bilateral trade and economic relations, including in transport and communications, agricultural, water and energy and other important fields. In this context, it was stressed that the practical implementation of an agreement between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on economic cooperation for 2008-2012 and a programme for this would ensure the all-round implementation of future tasks in this sphere. An agreement was reached on further developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation which undoubtedly will promote the strengthening of international accord in our countries, where large Turkmen and Uzbek diaspora live. As a result of the visit, several important documents were signed, which open new prospects for expanding bilateral relations. One of them is a joint communique which confirms the mutual interest of both sides Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in strengthening a political dialogue, and developing mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of friendship and good neighbourliness.”

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov particularly noted that the results of the talks and the signed documents would serve to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Berdimuhamedov said: “We have considered and discussed a wide range of our bilateral relations and priority tasks to further expand ties between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as to increase efficiency of cooperation. In this context, we focused on issues of cooperation in trade and economy, agriculture, developing transport and communications, as well as road infrastructure.”

“On the results of the talks, bilateral documents were signed, and they aim to serve as a basis for further expanding relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Among them are an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of agriculture, which is aimed at stepping up cooperation between our countries in the agrarian sector. A protocol on cooperation between our countries’ foreign ministries will serve to strengthen a political dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. This document is necessary and timely, as our bilateral relations are being stepped up at the highest state level between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

“I too would like to stress that our visit [changes tack], we have common historical origins and ties, therefore, I think, this visit will further strengthen our bilateral cooperation in a constructive period of stepping up [relations]. I think that it will yield very big mutual benefits both for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” he said.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s state visit to the country is continuing.