Statement by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Sixth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia

(August 9, 2024, Astana)

Excellencies, Heads of State!

Members of delegations!

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, for his hospitality and excellent organization of the meeting.

Our annual meetings have already become a tradition and, as practice shows, they are always relevant. During these meetings, a constructive, open and trust-based dialogue is taking place, which helps us to compare notes, better understand the pressing issues of cooperation and make specific decisions on this basis.

As the initiator of the organization of this format of high-level meetings, Turkmenistan proceeds from the fact that they should be of a consultative nature, be a platform for political communication without strictly regulating rules and procedures. This approach justifies itself, allows us to have a more objective, broad, "panoramic" view of the course of our interaction, to make proposals and adjustments, to express thoughts and assessments in the mode of free exchange.

I believe that the original meaning and purpose of the Consultative Meetings should be preserved. In our opinion, the creation of some multilateral structures and institutions within their framework is inexpedient. We understand each other perfectly, and each of our meetings ends with a clear final document, on the basis of which we continue to work. We believe that from both a political and a practical point of view, there is no need to burden the created format with the establishment of additional superstructures.

Another important element of the Consultative Meetings, in our opinion, is the participation in them only of the Heads of State of Central Asia. This is primarily due to the purely regional issues of our five-sided political dialogue. Of course, issues arising from the international agenda have always been and remain relevant for us in terms of discussing them and developing consolidated positions of our five states on interregional, continental and global problems. Such an approach will ensure high results of joint work and will allow us to concentrate on cooperation issues related to only five Central Asian states.

Honourable Heads of State!

At the current stage, against the backdrop of the difficulties of the world situation, the main and unconditional priority for the Central Asian states should remain the preservation of peace, harmony and stability. We are united in making our region prosperous, highly developed and deeply integrated into modern global relations while preserving our identity, independence and the right to choose internal and external development models. I am convinced that only under such conditions will our states and peoples be able to ensure a decent and confident future.

We must not allow attempts to draw our region into some spheres of influence, especially into conflicts, to be carried out, to give grounds to doubt the independence and subjectivity of Central Asia as a geopolitical, economic, cultural and civilizational space with a thousand-year history. Our peoples have their own agenda: peace, good-neighbourliness, brotherhood and cooperation.

Stability and peace along the perimeter of its external borders are an indispensable condition for maintaining the security of the region. I am referring primarily to the issue of our cooperation in Afghanistan.

While respecting the position that each of our countries has separately, I believe that we, as Afghanistan's neighbours, need to use the emerging opportunities and signs of stabilization to develop a common positive, constructive and realistic policy towards the current Afghan authorities. In our view, the interests and aspirations of the Afghan people, their desire for lasting peace and creative national work to restore the economy and the social sphere should be at the forefront.

The role of the Central Asian countries in this process is key. Only in cooperation with us can we talk in practical terms about Afghanistan's integration into international economic ties, about the implementation of infrastructure and logistics projects. We are connected with Afghanistan by historical, spiritual and family ties. It is our common duty and responsibility to use them to help build a new, peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Another important aspect of regional stability is the coordination of actions of the Central Asian states in the political, diplomatic, law enforcement and special spheres.

Turkmenistan stands for the intensification of the work of foreign ministries to develop consolidated approaches to countering new known threats, destabilizing our region, protecting the information space, preventing and neutralizing attempts to penetrate radical and extremist elements. I believe it is important to create conditions for close and coordinated work of our border, migration, customs agencies and special services.

Of course, successful economic development through close and mutually beneficial partnership remains a priority on the regional agenda.

Cooperation in transport and communications is key here. Today, this area is developing rapidly, competition is increasing, and active work is underway to create new transport and transit corridors in Eurasia. I believe that this should be the common task of the Central Asian states in the very near future.

I am convinced that we have all the prerequisites to build and become part of the stable, main lines of economic partnership: North-South and East-West.

If we talk about the transport segment, then here we highlight routes through Central Asia from China to Europe and the Middle East.

Specifically, we are talking about the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Turkey transit corridors with access to Europe, as well as China-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran and further to the Middle East. We pay special attention to the route of cargo transportation along the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Persian Gulf line. In this regard, we see prospects for combining the resource, economic and transport capabilities of Central Asia, India and Pakistan, the connectivity of the two subcontinents and access to the World Ocean. Here it should be noted the great potential of cooperation between the Central Asian countries in the transport sector and Afghanistan. Today, our states are doing a lot to expand the transport and communication infrastructure in the Afghan direction.

Another significant combined water-land route is the Central Asia-Caspian-Black Sea corridor. I am sure that with joint efforts, we will be able to implement large-scale transport projects along this route together.

Of course, strengthening transport connectivity between Asia and Europe involves the creation of modern logistics in the territories of our countries, the harmonization of legislation, and the mutual provision of customs, tariffs and other preferences. There is a lot to work on here, and we propose to start the practical implementation of these tasks in the very near future.

Dear participants of the Meeting!

In modern conditions, the role of our states in international energy cooperation, and meeting objective requests for energy resources of our countries is increasing.

The strategic goal is to meet the growing energy needs of the Central Asian states, taking into account the availability and appearance in the future of new industrial and agricultural capacities, infrastructure facilities, as well as the launch of joint production projects. Last but not least, such a system should guarantee our countries against possible negative scenarios in the global energy market, minimize their consequences, and create the necessary margin of safety for national energy systems in the event of unforeseen circumstances of man-made and natural.

We have repeatedly stated Turkmenistan's readiness to work together with the Central Asian countries in the energy sector.

Such serious issues as expanding trade, industrial cooperation, and partnership in small and medium-sized businesses should not be left out either. Here, relying on our good joint experience and traditions of good-neighbourliness, we are able to give due incentives to increase trade, create and actively use new channels of interaction between business communities, encourage joint investment in projects in the territories of our states, and develop cross-border trade.

Dear heads of state!

I would like to inform you that on October 11 this year, Turkmenistan will host the International Forum "The Relationship of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Modern Peace and Development", dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly Fragi.

Magtymguly is an outstanding son of the Turkmen people, but his philosophical and poetic heritage belongs to the entire East and the world as a whole, and to a particular extent to our neighbors, the peoples of Central Asia.

By inviting the leaders of many states to this Forum, we consider it not just as a tribute to Magtymguly, but also as a significant and timely opportunity for a broad and respectful international dialogue, a platform for presenting constructive, creative approaches and points of view on the fate of the world, the state of current global political, socio-cultural, geo-economic and humanitarian ties, their trends and prospects. Today, such a dialogue is especially in demand. And we attach key importance to the fact that the positions of the fraternal states of Central Asia are voiced weightily and authoritatively, that they are heard and understood.

Taking this opportunity, I cordially invite you, dear heads of state, to the upcoming International Forum. We look forward to your active participation.`