Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Outline New Targets for Trade and Economic Partnership
Results of the 19th meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Ashgabat
The 19th meeting of the Turkmen-Uzbek Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan on June 20. Heads and leading specialists from relevant ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, as well as a representative Uzbek delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjayev, participated in the forum.
During the meetings, the parties thoroughly analyzed the implementation of previously reached agreements and discussed mechanisms for maintaining sustainable growth in mutual trade. Energy, transportation and logistics, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and tourism were identified as priority areas for cooperation.
The delegates paid special attention to industrial cooperation, including the chemical industry, automotive manufacturing, and electrical equipment manufacturing. Following the joint commission's work, a final Protocol was signed, which outlined the specific plans of the relevant agencies for the short and medium term.
The latest round of interagency talks was preceded by a meeting between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjayev. At the beginning of the conversation, the guest conveyed warm greetings from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the head of state and National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reciprocated his best wishes to the leadership of the fraternal republic and emphasized Ashgabat's particular importance to deepening good-neighborly ties with Tashkent based on the principles of equality and strategic partnership. The head of state wished the delegation success in their work on the commission's agenda and expressed confidence that the decisions reached would contribute to the progressive development of interstate dialogue.
During both high-level meetings and industry discussions, key emphasis was placed on modernizing transport infrastructure. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, located at the crossroads of the revived Great Silk Road, are committed to further increasing transit freight volumes and systematically simplifying customs and logistics procedures.
The parties noted the high efficiency of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone, opened last November during the visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan. This infrastructure facility has given a powerful impetus to interregional cooperation and intensified contacts between private business representatives of the two countries through the Business Council.
At the conclusion of the official events, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding not only trade and investment but also cultural and humanitarian cooperation, declaring the importance of regularly holding mutual Days of Culture and Scientific Exchanges.
