Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, with the two countries signing an Agreement on the Establishment of the High-Level Strategic Partnership Council.

Mirziyoyev congratulated Berdimuhamedov on the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, as well as on his productive chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Independent States, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uza.uz.

The two leaders discussed further strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

They noted positive developments in trade and economic cooperation, saying bilateral trade has continued to grow steadily since the beginning of the year. They also highlighted the successful operation of the Shavat-Dashoguz cross-border trade zone.

The presidents stressed the importance of adopting an Action Plan aimed at significantly increasing mutual trade, as well as a Cooperation Program covering industry, energy, transport, agriculture and water management, including cooperation between regions of the two countries.

Following the meeting, the two leaders signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the High-Level Strategic Partnership Council. The agreement provides an institutional framework for further strengthening political dialogue and expanding practical cooperation in priority areas.