On 17 September 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the second high-level meeting in the “Central Asia-Germany” format.
Upon arrival to Astana, the President of Turkmenistan was met by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov and other officials.
From Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, the motorcade of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed to the venue of the high-level meeting - the Palace of Independence.
In the foyer of the Palace, the head of Turkmenistan was warmly welcomed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
After the traditional ceremony of joint photographing in front of the national flags of the participating countries of the “Central Asia-Germany” meeting, the heads of delegations were invited to the conference hall.
The Summit, chaired by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was also attended by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude to the parties for their participation and support of regional cooperation. It was highlighted that the regular and trustworthy nature of the dialogue at the highest level serves as an evidence of the commitment of the Central Asian states and Germany to the comprehensive development of regional strategic partnership.
Then the floor was given to the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and heads of Central Asian states.
In his address, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for hospitality and excellent conditions created for work.
Describing the relations between the Central Asian states and Germany as consistent and constructive, especially in recent years, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that experience and traditions of cooperation have been accumulated, mutually beneficial business partnerships have been established, and intergovernmental channels of interaction are working in a number of fields.
It was noted that Turkmenistan highlights the achievement and maintenance of regional peace, security and stability as a priority task of joint work.
“We believe that in the current circumstances, closer political and diplomatic cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and Germany can have a significant constructive effect on the overall situation in the region and neighboring space”, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said. He also noted the need to involve the efforts of the international community, primarily the UN, in this work, based on the common strive of the leadership of the countries to see Central Asia as a peaceful, calm, economically attractive region, a space of stability and predictability.
Among the key issues related to peace and security in the region, the President of Turkmenistan named the situation in Afghanistan, underlining that today the Afghan people gained real opportunities to overcome the difficult period that lasted for many years and to start constructive, nationwide work on restoring state institutions, economy and social sphere, to achieve and establish peace, harmony and unity.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov identified trade, economic and investment cooperation among the priorities of the partnership between the Central Asian states and the Federal Republic of Germany, including such areas as transport and logistics, communications, energy, industrial production, chemical industry, engineering, medicine and pharmaceuticals, agro-industrial complex, and developments in information technology.
It was noted that the priorities of interaction with Germany include issues related to the environment and climate change. Turkmenistan highly appraises the position of the German Government and its commitment to cooperation with the countries of the region. In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of the high-level conference “Green Central Asia” held in Berlin in 2020.
The President of Turkmenistan also drew attention to humanitarian cooperation, noting that people-to-people contacts have always had a fruitful impact on interstate relations. In this context, the importance of developing youth cooperation between Central Asia and the Federal Republic of Germany was noted.
At the end of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again expressed gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan for the excellent arrangement of the meeting, reaffirming Turkmenistan’s readiness for close cooperation within the “Central Asia-Germany” format.
During the dialogue, the participants of the meeting highly appraised the level of relations between the countries of Central Asia and Germany, noting in particular the demand for multilateral dialogue, which fully correlates with the strive towards joint wellbeing and progress.
