BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed prospects for expanding economic cooperation and strengthening coordination within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
This was reflected in a statement published by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belarus following a meeting in Minsk between Turkmen Ambassador Nazarguly Shagulyyev and Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Belarus Nuriddin Mamajonov.
"The Uzbek diplomat confirmed Tashkent's readiness to deepen partnership, including within the CIS framework," the statement said.
According to the embassy, the sides reviewed the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, focusing on political dialogue, trade, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.
The statement added that the Uzbek ambassador expressed Tashkent's interest in expanding multifaceted dialogue with Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have significantly expanded bilateral cooperation in recent years, moving beyond traditional political dialogue toward closer coordination in energy, transport, industrial cooperation and regional connectivity. The two countries have intensified contacts through regular intergovernmental commission meetings, increased cross-border trade and promoted joint infrastructure initiatives aimed at strengthening Central Asia's role in Eurasian transport corridors. High-level exchanges have also focused on simplifying trade procedures, developing logistics links and coordinating positions on regional economic initiatives, reflecting a broader trend toward deeper integration between the neighboring states.
Against this backdrop, the CIS chairmanship passed from Tajikistan to Turkmenistan on January 1, 2026. The Commonwealth of Independent States was established in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union to promote regional cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. The CIS Economic Council coordinates efforts to implement joint economic policies, develop transport and energy networks, and foster trade integration.
