Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov will pay a state visit to Uzbekistan and participate in the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, TDH reported on November 14.

Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov reported on the comprehensive preparations for the head of state's participation in the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and his state visit to Uzbekistan at a government meeting on November 14.

As noted, the consistent development of bilateral and multilateral relations with neighboring countries in the region is a priority vector of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. Particular importance is attached to expanding multifaceted cooperation with the Central Asian states on a long-term basis.

The Vice-Chairman announced that the agenda of the upcoming Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent will cover a wide range of areas of interstate partnership, including further strengthening constructive interaction in the region and exchanging views on pressing regional and international issues. A number of side events aimed at enhancing regional cooperation will also be organized as part of the Summit.

Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were established in February 1993. Developing a good-neighborly and friendly dialogue, our countries fruitfully cooperate in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. A solid legal framework for bilateral partnership has been established.

In addition to high-level talks and other events, the visit's program includes the opening of a new Turkmen-Uzbek border trade center.

After hearing the report, Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia will play an important role in strengthening multilateral cooperation and further expanding friendly and fraternal relations.

"The Republic of Uzbekistan is also one of our closest neighbors, and cooperation between our countries is steadily developing," the Turkmen leader said, instructing that careful preparations be made for the upcoming visit.