Oriented on making people closer

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in his speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in the “SCO+” format in Tianjin on September 1, outlined in detail the key areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the SCO countries, focusing on the economy, transport, energy, industrial cooperation and the humanitarian sphere, and also expressed support for the organization’s initiatives to strengthen global stability.

The head of state noted the importance of the SCO for continental and global processes, emphasizing: “We have great respect for the SCO, and we closely and kindly follow its activities. The creative role of the Shanghai Organization is visible in its contribution to the establishment of a fair and balanced system of the modern world order.”

Particular attention in the speech was paid to the Global Governance initiative recently proposed by the Chairman of the PRC. President Berdimuhamedov noted that this initiative fully coincides with Turkmenistan's conceptual vision of improving the architecture of international relations: "This idea coincides with Turkmenistan's conceptual vision of the process of further improving the architecture of international relations, their collective management, based on the principles of equality, justice and mutual respect."

He emphasized that the SCO demonstrates principled approaches to strengthening international and regional stability, creating conditions for political and diplomatic dialogue and resolving complex issues.

In this context, President Berdimuhamedov drew attention to the consistently constructive position of the SCO on Turkmenistan's foreign policy, including the country's neutrality and international initiatives. "It would be appropriate to note that the states that are currently members of the Shanghai Organization supported and co-authored the UN General Assembly resolutions on Turkmenistan's neutrality, as well as a number of other UN decisions proposed by our country," he said, adding that on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan's neutrality, the country would be glad to see high-level delegations from all SCO states at the celebrations in Ashgabat.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov especially noted that the economic sphere remains the defining vector of relations between Turkmenistan and the SCO. Among the priorities, he named transport and logistics, communications, energy, trade and industrial cooperation. “The presence of a vast resource base, a favorable geographical location, dynamic development of industry and infrastructure, accumulated experience of interaction – all this objectively contributes to economic rapprochement and joint development, the realization of joint potential,” he said.

Special emphasis was placed on the transport component. The President emphasized that Turkmenistan and the SCO countries could become key links in the logistics highways along the East-West and North-South lines.

"The targeted unification of efforts and potentials, the mobilization of political, diplomatic and economic resources will mean a qualitatively new stage not only in the development of our cooperation," the head of state noted.

He added that this creates conditions for the formation of an integrated geo-economic space from the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic, including large and dynamically developing economic zones of Asia, Central and South Asia, Russia, the Middle and Near East.

President Berdimuhamedov drew attention to the potential of the trans-Caspian and Caspian routes. "I believe that our common task is to translate them into practical use. Caspian corridors - vertically and horizontally - are considered a real chance to radically increase the efficiency and return on our economic and production capabilities, and to fully enter world markets," he said. He also stressed the importance of a favorable political and legal climate for transport in the Caspian Sea, which opens up new opportunities for trade and economic activity in the SCO countries.

The head of state spoke in detail about the capabilities of the Turkmenbashi port, emphasizing his readiness for a practical dialogue on the use of the terminal in the interests of the SCO countries. He also drew attention to the prospects for cooperation in shipbuilding: "Many SCO countries have significant production capacities and extensive experience in this area. Turkmenistan is also actively developing national shipbuilding, and I believe that partnership in this industry can bring tangible mutual benefits."

In the area of ​​railway and automobile infrastructure, the President emphasized the importance of creating a modern, extensive network in Central Asia and neighboring regions. He noted the implementation of joint projects with partners, including the construction of railways to Afghanistan, and confirmed his readiness to submit his proposals for long-term planning and cooperation.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov also drew attention to projects in the field of communications. Turkmenistan, together with some SCO countries, is laying a fiber-optic communication line through Afghanistan to Pakistan and invites the organization to actively participate in expanding the geography and increasing the capacity of these projects.

In the energy sector, the head of state emphasized Turkmenistan's readiness to increase the volume of natural gas and electricity supplies to the SCO countries. "Today, we focus on electric power engineering and are open to discussing the practical aspects of supplies and expanding the directions and volumes," he noted.

In addition, he focused on industrial cooperation: "The positive dynamics of economic growth, the growing number of new industrial facilities, the expansion of the range of goods and services produced - all this should be embodied in the process of economic partnership."

He did not ignore the humanitarian sphere either. Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of historical experience, closeness of values, loyalty to traditions, good neighborliness and respect, noting that strengthening cultural, scientific, educational and social ties will always be of particular importance.

In conclusion of his speech, he once again confirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to practical steps to implement joint opportunities in the interests of common goals, strengthening friendship, good neighborliness and trust, expressing gratitude to the Chairman of the PRC for the invitation to the summit.

The speech by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov demonstrates Turkmenistan's systemic approach to developing relations with the SCO+, focusing on the integration of transport corridors, energy and industrial cooperation, as well as humanitarian interaction. This consolidates the country's role as an important economic and logistical hub in Eurasia and creates a basis for further strengthening its influence on regional and global processes. In particular, attention to trans-Caspian routes, ports and energy resources indicates Turkmenistan's strategic goal of strengthening its economic presence and long-term positions in the Eurasian space.

ORIENT

Photo: Xinhua