On April 23, 2018, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left for a two-day state visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan. At the international airport of Ashgabat, the head of state was seen off by the officials.
Having completed the flight to Tashkent, the presidential airliner landed at the Islam Karimov International Airport decorated with the National Flags of the two countries. In honor of the arrival of a high Turkmen guest on both sides of the carpet path leading from the airplane of the plane, an Honor Guard was built. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was received by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and other officials.
From the airport the motorcade of the Turkmen leader went to the State Residence "Kuksaroy", where bilateral negotiations were held at the highest level. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
After exchanging friendly handshakes, the leaders of the two countries were photographed against the background of the national flags of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Then President Shavkat Mirziyoyev invites his Turkmen counterpart to pass to the square in front of the residence, where the ceremony of the official meeting of the high guest took place.
After the official ceremony the leaders of the two countries went to the building of the State residence "Kuksaroy", where the Turkmen-Uzbek high-level talks took place in the "one to one" format.
Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed a wide range of issues of Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation in its priority areas in the context of the implementation of previously reached agreements and the long-term prospects. The sides also discussed a number of topical issues on the regional and global agenda, which were of mutual interest.
Further negotiations continued in an expanded format, with the participation of the members of official delegations of the two countries.
Welcoming the high Turkmen guest on Uzbek soil, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the current state visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to his country is viewed as a logical continuation of constructive Turkmen-Uzbek dialogue, confirmation of the desire of the parties to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation based on the principles of friendship, good-neighborliness and common interests.
Thanking the President of Uzbekistan on behalf of the delegation of our country for the warm welcome and hospitality created by the excellent conditions for effective joint work, the President of Turkmenistan stressed the importance of the current state visit as the most important, landmark event in bilateral relations. Its main goal is to strengthen Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation in all areas, identify benchmarks for cooperation in the Central Asian region, and in general, on the international scene, taking into account new realities and development trends.
After the negotiations in the enlarged format, the ceremony of signing bilateral documents took place.
The following documents were signed: the Transport Cooperation Program for 2018-2020; The program of scientific and technical cooperation for 2019-2020; Protocol on the introduction of amendments and additions to the Agreement of November 19, 2004; Agreement on sanatorium and health-improving treatment of children in the National Tourist Zone "Avaza"; Memorandum on transit transportation of ammonium nitrate; Agreement on interregional cooperation; Program of cooperation for 2019 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Agreement on the establishment of Trade Houses of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan; Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Sphere of Sport; Agreement on cooperation on plant quarantine; Agreement on the establishment of the Business Council between the CCI of Turkmenistan and the CCI of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Institute for Strategic and Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Memorandum of Understanding between the National Center for Trade Unions of Turkmenistan and the Federation of Trade Unions of Uzbekistan; Memorandum of Understanding between the Union of Women of Turkmenistan and the Women's Committee of Uzbekistan; Memorandum of Understanding between the Central Council of the Turkmenistan Youth Organization named after Makhtumkuli and the Central Council of the Youth Association of Uzbekistan.
To the applause of the present, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Joint Statement.
It should be noted that this impressive package was supplemented by a solid list of other documents signed during the state visit of the head of Turkmenistan to the neighboring country. Among them are a number of documents related to interaction in the educational sphere, and specifically, the establishment of direct contacts between higher educational institutions of the two countries.
After the ceremony of signing the documents, the heads of the two states addressed the representatives of the mass media.
Commenting on the results of the talks, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed that during the talks the sides discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations, regional and international policy issues of mutual interest, specific directions for further Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation.
In the second half of the day, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan together went to the Independence and Humanism Monument erected on the main square of Tashkent - Mustakillik. To the sound of a solemn melody performed by the military orchestra, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov laid flowers at the foot of the Monument, paying tribute to the national symbol of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Then the joint automobile motorcade of the leaders of the two countries went to the Memorial Complex of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. In solemn atmosphere, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov laid flowers at the foot of the monument, paying tribute to the memory and respect of an outstanding statesman who made a significant contribution to the development of friendly Turkmen-Uzbek relations.
Then the joint automobile motorcade headed to the center of Tashkent, where the bas-relief of Magtymguly Pyragy was installed. The heads of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan laid bouquets of flowers at the foot of the monument.
Next, the leaders of the two countries headed for the opening ceremony of the Park “Ashgabat”. The park is located on the territory of 10 hectares near the street of Magtymguly. The architectural image reflects the unique color of the Turkmen capital. Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev cut the symbolic ribbon, officially opening the park "Ashgabat".
In the evening, in honor of the high Turkmen guest, the President of Uzbekistan gave an official dinner, during which the leaders of the two countries exchanged speeches.
The state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Uzbekistan continues.
