Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Oct. 20 / Trend D. Azizov /
The Uzbek-Turkmen relations, increasing momentum each year, were marked by visible and concrete practical results in all areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Uzbek President Islam Karimov said after the intergovernmental negotiations held during his official visit to Ashgabat.
President Karimov stressed that he considers the official visit, at the invitation of Turkmen counterpart, as another clear feature of good neighborly relations between the two fraternal countries and peoples, as natural and logical continuation of the Uzbek-Turkmen dialogue based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, friendship and equality of the two countries.
"Turkmen and Uzbek people are the heirs of this ancient and glorious history, rich and unique culture, which we always respected. We will always cherish it. We will be proud of our common heritage", Karimov said.
Common deep historical roots, religion, spiritual values, similar languages, national traditions and customs make a solid foundation on which understanding and cooperation are based, the president said.
He said that mutual support and admission of ways and models of developing their own countries and societies, chosen by Turkmen and Uzbek peoples, are based on this foundation.
Islam Karimov said that the talks and the views exchanged with Turkmen President once again demonstrated the great interest of both sides in expanding the Uzbek-Turkmen relations, as well as the proximity and coincidence of views on most key issues and relevant regional and international policy.
Uzbekistan supports the consistent and fully thought-out peace-loving foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan. It welcomes the initiatives, in energy, disarmament, transport communications, aimed at strengthening stability and security, expansion of economic integration and sustainable development of the region, voiced from the highest tribunes.
The Uzbek President touched upon the events in Kyrgyzstan this summer.
"We feel the situation, happened there, like our pain, real national pain for those people who died in an absolutely senseless slaughter and massacre, imposed on Uzbek and Kyrgyz people from outside," Karimov said.
He reiterated that all the events, occurred in southern Kyrgyzstan, were organized by those who pursue far-reaching strategic goals. "Uzbeks and Kyrgyz were hostages of massacre initiated by third forces," the Uzbek president said.
He warned the world of the preconceptions that Central Asia is a tense region where business can not be developed. President Karimov cited Turkmenistan, which is being developed and modernized.
The Uzbek-Turkmen cooperation is a good example of successful cooperation in the region.
Such real achievements, as the holding of national exhibitions in Ashgabat and Tashkent, which gave significant impetus to the development of mutual trade and business, opening of a new embassy of Turkmenistan in Tashkent, symbolizing a new beginning in bilateral relations, can be marked.
Uzbekistan attaches great importance to the project of constructing a transcontinental gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China. The work is underway to improve and expand the international transport and communication infrastructure, Karimov said.
The Festival of Friendship of the Uzbek and Turkmen peoples in Dashoguz, located near the historic centers of Urgench and Khiva, will also become a symbol of ethnic harmony and peace, the Uzbek president said.