President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in the SCO+ format, held in Tianjin, China, on September 1. The Turkmen leader spoke as an honorary guest, emphasizing the strategic importance of the expanded format for strengthening multifaceted partnerships.
The SCO+ format unites SCO member states, observer countries and dialogue partners, creating a platform for expanding economic, cultural and political ties in the vast Eurasian space. As Chinese President Xi Jinping noted in his opening remarks, SCO+ serves as an example of multilateral cooperation built on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust.
In his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the People's Republic of China for the invitation and warm hospitality, emphasizing Turkmenistan's unwavering constructive position regarding the activities of the SCO and the importance of the organization in the formation of a balanced system of the modern world order.
The President of Turkmenistan paid special attention to the economic dimension of cooperation. The head of state outlined priorities, including transport and logistics, communications, energy, trade and industrial cooperation. According to him, Turkmenistan's favorable geographical position, developed industry and infrastructure, as well as the accumulated experience of interaction create prerequisites for the formation of large economic hubs of both regional and global significance.
The President of Turkmenistan spoke in detail about transport initiatives. He emphasized the prospects of the East-West and North-South routes, in which Turkmenistan and the SCO countries can become key links. Particular importance is attached to the trans-Caspian and Caspian corridors, including the use of the port of Turkmenbashi, which opens up opportunities for effective access to world markets.
In the energy sector, Turkmenistan confirmed its readiness to increase natural gas exports and expand electricity supplies to the SCO countries. The President also noted the potential for joint industrial cooperation, given the growth of new industrial facilities and the expansion of the range of goods and services, which helps strengthen the regional economy.
In addition to the economy, the emphasis was placed on humanitarian cooperation: strengthening cultural, educational and scientific ties, developing cooperation in the social sphere. Turkmenistan views such initiatives as strategically important for strengthening friendship and trust between the countries of the region.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed support for the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Xi Jinping, emphasizing the coincidence of conceptual approaches with Turkmenistan's vision of improving the architecture of international relations based on the principles of equality, justice and mutual respect.
The President of Turkmenistan emphasized the country's commitment to practical steps to implement joint opportunities in the interests of regional stability and prosperity, and confirmed Turkmenistan's readiness to actively integrate into the SCO+ strategic projects.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov's working visit to the People's Republic of China continues, and Turkmenistan demonstrates its readiness to expand its geopolitical and economic presence within the SCO+ format, opening up new routes of influence on the Eurasian map.
ORIENT
