Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, July 1
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed high-priority issues of intergovernmental dialogue over the phone, Trend reports with reference to Turkmen government.
Uzbek party initiated the phone call, which was made on the occasion of the birthday of the president of Turkmenistan.
Leaders of the countries stated the existence of prospects for activation of mutually-beneficial partnership. Solid potential for steady increase of productive relationship, including that in fuel and energy complex, industrial sector, transport and communication sphere, and agricultural industry was also highlighted.
Leaders further discussed relevant issues of regional and global agenda, which are of mutual interest.
Bilateral relations of neighboring countries significantly activated in the last couple of years. According to the Uzbek side, the total volume of trade in 2018 rose to $302 million from $177 million a year earlier. In April 2018, the countries signed contracts and memorandums providing for joint projects worth over $250 million.
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, possessing impressive hydrocarbon reserves, are in favor of diversifying energy flows. One good example might be the project for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, commissioned in 2009.
Ashgabat is also ready to step up cooperation as part of the project on the supply of electricity from Central Asia to South Asia along the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route.
The project on the creation of an Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman transport route is also being discussed. it will significantly increase international transit freight traffic and provide a new communication corridor to global markets.
