Ashgabat – Tashkent | ORIENT. Today, December 29, a telephone conversation took place between National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The exchange of New Year's greetings served as an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the unprecedented growth of bilateral relations in the past year.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction that the strategic partnership between the countries has reached a qualitatively new level. The key markers of success in 2025 were:

– The launch of the Shavat-Dashoguz border trade zone, which has already become a driver of interregional and business exchanges.

– Dynamic growth in freight traffic and trade turnover, as well as expanded cooperation in energy, industry, and agriculture.

– Shavkat Mirziyoyev particularly noted the success of the international forums in Ashgabat and Avaza, timed to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust.

During the conversation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the neighboring state's impressive economic achievements. In 2025, Uzbekistan's GDP exceeded $145 billion, and the projected 6.6% growth for next year confirms the country's steady progress toward becoming an upper-middle-income country. The National Leader of the Turkmen People also emphasized the significance of Uzbekistan's declaration of 2026 as the "Year of Development of the Mahalla and Society."

In turn, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty emphasized that Turkmenistan is entering 2026, which will be held under the motto "Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Steeds," symbolizing the country's rapid development.

Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of Uzbekistan discussed the schedule of meetings for the coming year, agreeing to continue jointly hosting major international and regional events.

In particular, preparations for the largest regional summits in 2026, which will be held in Turkmenistan, were discussed: the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan and the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS.

In particular, preparations for the major regional summits to be held in Turkmenistan in 2026 were discussed: The Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan and the Meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State.

Environmental security was a special focus of the discussion. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed beginning the first days of the new year to begin developing a joint action plan on water issues in the Caspian and Aral regions, as well as in the Amu Darya basin.

Strengthening "soft power" was also noted: the participation of the Uzbek delegation, led by Saida Mirziyoyeva, in the recent women's conference in Ashgabat and the awarding of Uzbek Ambassador Ravshanbek Alimov with the Jubilee Medal of Turkmenistan became striking symbols of the year, which ends on a high note of mutual trust.

The head of Uzbekistan also conveyed warm congratulations to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, wishing the fraternal Turkmen people prosperity.

The conversation confirmed that Ashgabat and Tashkent remain a reliable pillar of stability and economic growth throughout Central Asia.