After the completion of the Turkmen-Kahastan talks at the highest level, the leaders of the two countries addressed the representatives of the media.
Speaking about the results of the talks, during which the current state and prospects of bilateral relations were discussed, issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest were determined and specific directions for further cooperation were identified, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed the constructive and substantive nature of the meeting in Astana.
As the head of Turkmenistan noted, all sides highly appreciated the current level of interstate dialogue, which is being conducted in all directions - in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Kazakhstan is our important and reliable partner in the region, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, stressing the active nature of bilateral cooperation in ensuring peace, stability and security in Central Asia. Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan today is a strategic factor of sustainability and positive development of processes in the area of Central Asia. Both countries advocate the transformation of the region into a zone free of conflict and confrontation, a strong link of long-term stability on the continent, and an arena of broad international partnership.
During the talks, the commonality of the approaches of the two countries on such key issues of the global agenda as preserving and maintaining universal peace and stability, countering the threats of international terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking was emphasized. As parties to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan will continue to promote disarmament processes in the region. The sides also spoke of the need for an early settlement of the situation in Afghanistan by peaceful, political means.
The readiness was confirmed to continue active cooperation between the two countries within authoritative international and regional structures - the United Nations Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation.
The close cooperation of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in the framework of pentagonal cooperation in the Caspian Sea will also continue. Our countries are consistent supporters of the transformation of the Caspian into a space of peace, good-neighborliness, harmony and mutually beneficial partnership in various fields, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
A separate place in the talks was given to environmental issues, in particular, interaction within the framework of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea. Having assumed the responsibilities of the country presiding in the Fund, Turkmenistan has developed the corresponding Concept, which reflects the priority plans for joint activities of the member states.
As the Turkmen leader said, during the talks, issues of trade and economic cooperation were discussed. The parties agreed to consider in detail the measures to expand mutual trade, intensify the investment policy, enter into joint large-scale projects in industrial cooperation, in the service sector and in the agricultural sector. In this context, an important role is played by partnerships between the business communities of the two countries. We came to a common opinion on the need to increase interaction in this area in accordance with the existing powerful industrial and infrastructural potential of both countries, to develop in new, promising areas, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The strategic vectors of bilateral cooperation are energy and transport. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan occupy leading positions on the continent in terms of energy production. We have a modern infrastructure, share a common vision of the configuration of energy and transport flows in Europe and Central Asia, the Turkmen leader said. Large-scale projects with the participation of two countries have already been implemented - the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, part of which lays across the territory of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway.
These examples show what a powerful resource is available today for our states. By initiating such projects, Turkmenistan proceeds from the need to fully integrate the countries of the region, our neighbors, into energy and transport cooperation in Eurasia, and to diversify transport routes. We will use all opportunities to further realize our potential aimed at implementing new joint projects, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
Addressing the media representatives, the Turkmen leader also said that an agreement was reached on further expansion of cultural, humanitarian, scientific, educational and sport ties between the two states.
The Head of Turkmenistan highly appreciated the results of today's meeting, which resulted in the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as a number of documents on cooperation in various fields.
We attach special importance to relations with Kazakhstan, we consider it a fraternal state. Our countries and peoples share the centuries-old traditions of good-neighborliness, common history, culture, language and spiritual values. We cherish this treasure carefully, filling it with new content in the spirit of modern realities. Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation will develop steadily in all directions, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said. This meets the long-term interests of the two countries and peoples and is a weighty factor in the positive development of international processes, preservation and consolidation of peace and stability in Central Asia, its economic progress.
Emphasizing the great personal effort of President Nursultan Nazarbayev in strengthening bilateral relations, his constant attention to the issues of cooperation with Turkmenistan and expressing his heartfelt gratitude to his Kazakhstan colleague, the Turkmen leader conveyed the wishes of peace and prosperity to the brotherly people of Kazakhstan and further successes in their creative work.
Source: Turkmenistan: the Golden Age Online Newspaper