Esteemed Heads of State, honorable members of delegations!
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Sharipovich Rahmon, for his warm welcome and hospitality.
The holding of this second meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Russia, in our view, indicates that the cooperation in this format assumes consistency.
This is an objective process. Central Asia and Russia not only form a vast geographical space, but are also united by centuries-old historical, political, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties. It is the blend of these factors that provides a solid foundation for unfolding the potential of our cooperation across a wide range of areas, both now and in the long term.
The most important area of partnership between our countries has been and remains the joint work to strengthen stability and security in Central Asia. The countries of the region and Russia have accumulated considerable experience in this area. Consultations involving representatives of the ministries foreign affairs and other relevant departments are held on a regular basis.
Their scope is expanding today and includes coordination of actions to respond to new challenges and risks, including information and biological security, ensuring sustainability and social coherence in our countries. These are crucial issues, and we are addressing them together based on our commitment to fundamental values, traditions, historical experience and the objective assessment of current trends.
Among the present joint tasks on the world stage, we highlight the strengthening and coordination of cooperation between our countries in international structures, primarily in the UN. We are convinced of the need to develop a common line and actively promote it in matters related to the protection of universally recognized norms of international law, strengthening the role and authority of the UN, and preserving the global security architecture based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.
We need to bring international relations back to the path of civilized communication and restore a culture of respectful dialogue, predictability and trust. We are confident that, despite the complexity of this task, the states of Central Asia and Russia can together have a significant impact on the achievement of these goals.
Dear participants!
Turkmenistan considers strengthening and increasing economic ties between Central Asia and Russia to be a priority for cooperation. In recent years, we have managed to launch a number of major projects involving our countries.
The transport component is of particular importance today. The goal in this regard is to create a reliable, sustainable and efficient logistics system covering the territories of states of Central Asian and Russia.
Turkmenistan sees great prospects in the formation of an international North-South transport corridor along the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. This corridor is valuable in itself and brings significant benefits to all participants. At the same time, it should be viewed as part of a larger Eurasian transport project.
In this regard, I would like to highlight the importance of the Caspian transport and logistics hub for establishing direct transport links between the countries of Central Asia and Russia via the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan is ready for substantive discussions on the engagement of the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port for these purposes.
We underline the importance of partnership on energy. Here, we pay particular attention to the electrical power industry. We propose to consider the alignment of interests in the supply of electricity within our countries, as well as to neighboring countries and regions, primarily in the southern direction. We also look forward to closer cooperation on the use of renewable energy. I am confident that we have much to offer to each other based on our shared experience, new competencies, as well as scientific and technical achievements.
We advocate accelerating and specifying our partnership in the field of innovations. It is needless to say how important this is in terms of national development and international competition. We are aware of and highly appraise Russia’s strategic line on broad international cooperation on technology and innovation. In this context, we see broad prospects for cooperation in our format as well.
For Turkmenistan, innovative progress is currently one of the most powerful drivers of development in the national economy and social sphere. We would like to begin practical cooperation, attracting the innovative potential of our partners to our industrial sector, industrial agriculture, urban development and the development of smart cities on a mutually beneficial basis.
Preserving the ecological balance is another area in which the states of Central Asia and Russia can work together to solve many problems. These include the shallowing of the Caspian Sea, the rescue of the Aral Sea, and a whole range of issues related to adaptation measures in industry and agriculture, emissions into the atmosphere, and others. We hope that these issues will assume their rightful place on the lasting agenda of the six-party cooperation.
Dear participants!
This year is special for our countries in many ways. Together, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This event will always be a strong bond uniting our peoples and states. We apply our loyalty to our shared historical heritage and our commitment to the ideals of good neighbourliness, friendship and equality to our inter-state relations, relying on them and always emphasizing their continuity. This makes the development and strengthening of humanitarian, educational and scientific ties between Central Asia and Russia event more important. They strengthen our relations, create a solid foundation for the future, and perform an enormous educational function aimed at fostering respect and sympathy among the peoples of our countries, including youth, and a strive for mutual understanding. These are positive trends, which we see and must support and encourage.
In conclusion, I would like to confirm the readiness of Turkmenistan to cooperate and our assuredness in the importance, necessity and great potential of such a format of collaboration as “Central Asia-Russia”.
