Uzbekistan to take part in developing the Turkmenbashi port

On November 17, expanded-format talks between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan continued at the Kuksaroy residence in Tashkent, with both countries’ official delegations participating. At the start of the meeting, the Uzbek leader emphasized that the Turkmen president’s state visit was clear proof of the enduring friendship and good-neighborly ties between the two peoples.

The discussions focused on further expanding the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan partnership in the areas of friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic cooperation. Progress achieved in trade, transport, energy, water management, and other key sectors was positively evaluated.

“Undoubtedly, Turkmenistan’s National Leader, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Honorable Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has made a tremendous contribution to these achievements,” President Mirziyoyev noted.

In recent years, bilateral trade has doubled, surpassing 1 billion dollars. The parties stressed that there is strong potential to raise this figure to 2 billion dollars by diversifying product categories and making effective use of the free-trade regime. The launch of the Shovot–Toshhovuz border trade zone is expected to further boost trade. The sides agreed to apply this model in other locations as well, particularly in the Alat–Farab area.

To expand industrial cooperation, both sides emphasized involving more businesses in new projects focusing on construction materials, pharmaceuticals, food products, and other high-demand goods. Energy cooperation was also described as effective and mutually beneficial, and the parties agreed to move to larger joint ventures, including the exploration and development of promising deposits.

Transport was identified as a crucial link between the two economies. Freight volumes continue to grow, and customs and logistics procedures are being simplified. The two countries agreed on jointly developing the Turkmenbashi seaport and restoring direct flights between the capitals.

To ensure timely implementation of all agreements reached, the sides scheduled upcoming meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council before the end of the year. The leaders also stressed that humanitarian cooperation forms an important foundation for bilateral ties. They highlighted the successful Turkmen Culture Days and film screenings held in Urgench and Tashkent.

To further enhance cultural cooperation, the two countries agreed to hold regular exchange visits for concert groups and theater ensembles, organize a Youth Forum in Khiva, and continue joint film production. Exchanges in healthcare and medical science will also be intensified. At the conclusion of the talks, the heads of state instructed officials to adopt a comprehensive “roadmap” to implement all agreed-upon initiatives.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov arrived in Tashkent on November 16 for a state visit and took part in the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders at the International Congress Center.