Uzbek, Turkmen Leaders Chart New Steps for Friendship and Good Neighborliness

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council), at the Congress Center of the Avaza National Tourist Zone, where the two sides discussed strengthening Uzbek-Turkmen friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership, including the implementation of top-level agreements.

The talks were held in both a tête-à-tête format and with the participation of official delegations from the two countries, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

At the beginning of the meeting, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Uzbek leader. In turn, President Mirziyoyev congratulated Turkmenistan’s leadership and people on the successful hosting of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Avaza earlier this month.

The sides stressed that bilateral cooperation is expanding across all priority sectors. Since the start of 2025, bilateral trade turnover has amounted to $700 million, bolstered by the free trade regime introduced in February and the opening of trade houses in both capitals.

The leaders also highlighted progress on joint projects in industry, energy, transport, agriculture, and water management, while preparations are being finalized for the launch of the Shavat-Dashoguz border trade zone later this year.

Looking ahead, Mirziyoyev and Berdimuhamedov underlined the importance of effective coordination through intergovernmental commissions, the Business Council, and cultural exchanges, particularly in the run-up to upcoming high-level meetings.

Special emphasis was placed on the forthcoming Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. In this context, the leaders noted the significance of the Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan trilateral format, which also framed the current talks.