Speaking on June 17 at the second Central Asia – China Summit in Astana, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed to expand partnership between Central Asia and China in transport, energy, and innovation.

"Turkmenistan sees extensive prospects for activating and expanding partnership between Central Asia and China in the transport sector," the President said. The head of state's speech was published on Wednesday in the central media of our country.

"Turkmenistan's strategy "Revival of the Great Silk Road" envisages a key role for Central Asian countries in it. In our opinion, its combination with China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative promotes the rapprochement and application of national transport and logistics capabilities in the common interests," Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.

"Our countries are objectively destined to play a key role in this global undertaking. Today, not only the conditions are maturing, but also the need to combine efforts, mobilize resources to create a modern, reliable and integrated system of transport and logistics communications that covers the territories of the Asia-Pacific region, South and Central Asia, the Middle and Near East," said the President of Turkmenistan.

The head of state also proposed discussing issues of diversifying supplies of Turkmen natural gas and electricity.

"In the energy sector, Turkmenistan also advocates for expanding cooperation within the framework of our format, and sees serious prerequisites for this. In this context, we are ready to discuss issues of diversifying supplies of Turkmen natural gas," said Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

"The most important component of the energy component of cooperation is the electric power industry. Here, Turkmenistan also advocates expanding the geography and volumes of electricity supplies," continued the President of Turkmenistan.

Speaking about innovative cooperation, the head of state noted that "we count on more focused attention to this area from Chinese partners." The President expressed his conviction that "the launch of joint programs and projects in the application of artificial intelligence, satellite and space research, digitalization, information platforms, the entire line of software, can significantly increase the effectiveness of our economic cooperation." Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed "Turkmenistan's firm commitment to the closest interaction in the Central Asia-China format, confidence in the enormous opportunities it opens up for our peoples and states in the matter of joint development, peace and prosperity."