The idea to hold a consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia in Ashgabat in 2021 was proposed by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in a telephone conversation with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

In case of approval of this proposal, Turkmenistan is ready to start an appropriate procedure of coordination on the above issue, the Turkmen leader said. It is proposed to agree on the date and agenda of the upcoming summit through the foreign ministries of the region's countries.

The interlocutors also discussed topical areas of Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation, which in recent years has reached a qualitatively new level and is successfully developing in a wide range of areas. This was confirmed by the first online meeting of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Business Council, which took place the other day. Its activities will help intensify bilateral business contacts, increase the volume of mutual trade, and stimulate investment activity.

The presidents also touched upon the spread of coronavirus infection, which has become a serious test for the entire world community. In this regard, it was noted that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are carrying out effective work to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic on interstate trade and economic partnership.