Statement by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Dear President of the People’s Republic of China,

Dear Heads of State and Government, distinguished members of delegations,

First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the distinguished President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, for the kind invitation to take part in this Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a guest of honour, as well as for the warm hospitality and excellent working conditions provided.

Turkmenistan’s participation in SCO Summits as a guest of honour has become a long-standing and positive tradition. In our view, this reflects our shared interest in strengthening and deepening partnership.

Turkmenistan holds great respect for the SCO and follows its activities with close and sincere attention. We note the Organization’s constructive role in continental and global processes, and its significant contribution to the formation of a fair and balanced system of modern international relations.

Today, during this meeting in the SCO+ format, the President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, presented an important new international initiative – the Global Governance Initiative. This proposal resonates with Turkmenistan’s conceptual vision of further improving the architecture of international relations and advancing collective governance based on the principles of equality, justice, and mutual respect.

The SCO’s principled approaches to strengthening international and regional stability, fostering political and diplomatic dialogue as the foundation of interstate relations, and resolving complex issues are well understood and fully supported by Turkmenistan.

In this regard, I would like to highlight the SCO’s consistently constructive attitude towards Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, neutrality, and international initiatives. It is worth recalling that SCO member states co-sponsored and supported the United Nations General Assembly resolutions on the neutrality of Turkmenistan, along with other important UN decisions initiated by my country. I state this with particular gratitude today, on the eve of a historic occasion – the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, to be celebrated on 12 December this year. We will be delighted to welcome high-level delegations from all SCO member states to Ashgabat for these celebrations.

Dear participants,

The defining vector of relations between Turkmenistan and the SCO is the economic sphere. Among the priorities we highlight are transport and logistics, communications, energy, trade, and industrial cooperation.

Our rich resource base, advantageous geographic location, dynamic industrial and infrastructure development, and accumulated experience of cooperation all provide a solid foundation for economic convergence and joint progress. This enables the creation of major continental – and eventually global – economic hubs within the SCO space and in Turkmenistan.

I am convinced that diverse formats and models of business partnership between Turkmenistan and the SCO can complement and enrich bilateral relations, expand the horizons of cooperation on a long-term and mutually beneficial basis, and lay practical foundations for major regional and international projects.

In this context, I would like to emphasize the transport sector. We believe that today there are real opportunities to develop logistics corridors along the East–West and North–South axes, in which the SCO countries and Turkmenistan are destined to play key roles. By combining our efforts and resources, and mobilizing political, diplomatic, and economic potential, we can reach a qualitatively new stage in our cooperation.

This would create the conditions for establishing an integral geo-economic space stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Baltic Sea, encompassing the Asia-Pacific region, Central and South Asia, Russia, and the Middle and Near East. It is therefore logical and justified to enhance practical cooperation between Turkmenistan and the SCO, coordinating transport strategies based on our shared advantages, mutual benefit, and successful integration into the global geo-economy.

In this regard, special attention should be paid to trans-Caspian and Caspian routes. The interests of the SCO and Turkmenistan in this field coincide to a large extent. Our common task is to translate them into practice. We view the Caspian transport corridors – both north–south and east–west – as a real opportunity to significantly enhance the efficiency and returns of our economic potential, access global markets, and consolidate strong long-term positions in the Eurasian geo-economic space.

A crucial factor here is the favourable political and legal climate for shipping in the Caspian Sea, which opens wide opportunities for SCO member states to engage in trade and economic activities in this region.

As you know, at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, recently hosted by Turkmenistan, the importance of the Caspian Sea as the shortest and most efficient route was extensively discussed. A number of SCO states participated in that Forum at the highest level, for which I once again express my sincere appreciation. We hope this discussion will be further advanced in the SCO framework.

In this context, I would also like to draw your attention to the capacities of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport. We are ready for practical dialogue on using this multifunctional terminal in the interests of the SCO.

Speaking of maritime transport, it would be timely, in our view, to explore cooperation in shipbuilding. Many SCO states possess advanced facilities and extensive expertise in this field. Turkmenistan is also actively developing its national shipbuilding sector, and I am confident that partnership in this industry could yield tangible benefits for all sides.

We attach particular importance to the development of a modern, interconnected railway and road network across Central Asia and neighbouring regions. Turkmenistan, together with its partners, has initiated railway construction projects to Afghanistan, and we have other large-scale initiatives under way. We see genuine prospects for long-term planning and cooperation in this area and stand ready to present concrete proposals.

In the communications sphere, Turkmenistan is implementing, in cooperation with certain SCO member states, major projects to lay fibre-optic lines through Afghanistan to Pakistan. We invite the Organization to participate actively in expanding this geography and capacity, as well as in implementing new large-scale digital projects.

In the energy sector, Turkmenistan is prepared to increase natural gas exports to SCO states. We are also focusing on the electricity industry and are open to discussing practical options for electricity supplies, including expanded volumes and destinations. We view the power sector as a priority area of cooperation with the SCO.

Industrial cooperation is another promising field. The dynamic economic growth of our states, the expansion of industrial capacities, and the diversification of goods and services should find expression in deeper economic partnership. Turkmenistan is ready to contribute actively to a joint industrial cooperation strategy.

Dear participants,

At the beginning of my remarks, I mentioned the humanitarian sphere. Shared historical experience, common values, enduring traditions, genuine good-neighbourliness, and mutual respect form the foundation of our cooperation and represent a great common asset. We consider it our duty to preserve and multiply this heritage. For this reason, the development of humanitarian cooperation – in culture, science, education, and other areas of the social sphere – will always remain a key priority.

Turkmenistan regards today’s meeting at the highest level as an important step forward in its relations with the SCO. We are committed to practical steps to realize our joint opportunities, to serve our common interests, and to strengthen friendship, good-neighbourliness, and trust.

Once again, I thank you for the invitation to this important Summit.