The events of the past week reflected the main priorities of the policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov - strategic partnership for the sake of universal peace, security, progress, and the socio-economic prosperity of the Motherland.

On October 20, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers via the digital system, at which some issues of the life of the state were considered.

The topics discussed included legal support for the development of various spheres of public and state life, the state of affairs in the financial, economic and banking sectors, the dynamics of the country's economic development, the modernization of road transport infrastructure and the formation of international transport corridors, the progress of seasonal agricultural work and the rational use of water resources, training of highly qualified national personnel for key sectors of the economy.

A report was also given on the preparations for the XXVII International Conference and Exhibition “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2022”, organizational issues related to the participation of our country in the World Exhibition “EXPO-2025”.

One of the topics of the meeting was the further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and foreign partners in the information sphere.

As noted, in order to widely cover the domestic and foreign policy of Turkmenistan and constructive initiatives of our country in foreign media, it is proposed to create a Press Group (“Press Pool”) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from domestic media, to intensify interaction with the press attache of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, establish productive contacts with leading regional and international TV channels.

At the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Decree on the establishment of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports and a Decree on the issues of a new structure and on the structure of the Ministry of Education, as well as a Decree “On announcing a competition for the award of the President of Turkmenistan “Türkmeniň Altyn asyry”. Among the signed documents is the Resolution on the establishment of fees and payments levied on the owners of cargo motor transport trailers and semi-trailers of foreign states arriving in Turkmenistan and transiting through its territory.

On October 21, negotiations were held in the capital between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who arrived in our country the day before on an official visit.

During the meeting, active interaction between the two countries on strengthening regional and international security, combating international terrorism, drug trafficking, and trans-border organized crime was noted. The high degree of cooperation and coordination of actions within the framework of major international structures remains unchanged.

One of the topics of the talks was the situation in Afghanistan. The readiness of both countries to continue participating in ensuring peace and stability in this state, creating conditions for economic and social recovery, and providing humanitarian assistance to the fraternal Afghan people was confirmed.

Particular emphasis was placed on interaction in water management and water-energy issues based on mutual respect, equality and consideration of each other's interests.

The relevance of continuing cooperation on the Aral Sea issues within the framework of participation in the activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, as well as in international organizations, with specialized UN structures, was emphasized.

Among the specific areas and industries where our countries have great potential for active cooperation, the agro-industrial complex, energy, chemical and petrochemical industries, mechanical engineering, textile and pharmaceutical industries were singled out.

The parties also confirmed their intention to provide state support in attracting Turkmen and Uzbek companies to participate in joint investment projects.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, our country is in favor of expanding border ties and regional trade.

We look forward to continuing and building up cooperation in the energy sector, the head of state said, emphasizing that our common asset already has a major energy project implemented - the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline. At the same time, readiness was expressed to consider, together with the Uzbek partners, the possibilities for a significant increase in energy supplies and expansion of their transit configuration.

One of the priority areas of cooperation was the transport sector. 

- I believe that the efforts of our countries can and should be directed towards achieving the main goal - the creation of a powerful and modern infrastructure that would ensure the unification of the transport systems of Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized, confirming the desire of Turkmenistan to work together to develop transport route Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Caspian Sea - and further through the Black Sea ports with access to Europe.

In this context, the importance of stepping up efforts for the speedy implementation of the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman-Qatar transport corridor project was noted.

During the talks, issues of partnership in the humanitarian sphere were touched upon, in particular, the expansion of ties in the field of science and education, between artists.

Special attention was paid to inter-parliamentary cooperation.

As a result of the talks, a solid package of bilateral documents was signed between the ministries and departments of the two countries.

To the applause of those present, Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the Declaration on deepening the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

At the end of the high-level talks in the building of the Administration of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan stressed with satisfaction the traditionally good-neighbourly, fruitful nature of Turkmen-Uzbek relations, which are filled with new concrete content from year to year.

At the same time, it was emphasized that inter-parliamentary contacts, which demonstrate positive dynamics, are an important component of interstate relations.

Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation, based on centuries-old ties of friendship and good neighborliness, would continue to grow stronger and successfully develop for the common good.

At the end of the meeting, the Hero-Arkadag presented the Uzbek leader with a Turkmen Alabai, who was called Alabai, and presented a Certificate of his pedigree.

On the same day, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proceeded to the Halk hakydasy Memorial Complex and laid flowers at the Baky Şöhrat monument, which immortalized the memory of national heroes - the valiant defenders of the Motherland.

Having familiarized himself with the exposition of the Watan Mukaddesligi Museum located on the territory of the Memorial Complex, the Uzbek leader left a memorable entry in the Book of Honored Guests.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Magtymguly Turkmen State University, where a solemn ceremony was held to confer the academic title of Honorary Professor of this university on the leader of a friendly country.

On the same day, with the participation of Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the opening ceremony of the Tashkent recreation park built in Ashgabat was held.

The design of the park uses elements of national Uzbek decor and architecture. It provides everything for a pleasant stay and cultural family leisure. A cozy cafe “Tashkent”, a teahouse, a restaurant, and an amphitheater are located on a landscaped area. For young visitors there are colorfully designed rides and playgrounds.

The features of the park design are original elements that reflect the symbols of a friendly country, its most recognizable architectural sights.

In the course of familiarization with the new leisure complex, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the Teahouse, where the traditional Uzbek dastarkhan is presented in all abundance.

Through a direct teleconference organized via digital communication Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the solemn ceremony of laying the foundation of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone - the Trade Center, held on the territory of the Dashoguz velayat.

This event was a concrete effective step towards the practical implementation of the provisions of the intergovernmental Agreement on the establishment and regulation of the Turkmen-Uzbek border trade zone - the Trade Center and the Action Plan (Roadmap).

The young trees planted by the heads of the two states on this day in the Tashkent recreation park have become a symbolic embodiment of the Turkmen-Uzbek friendship and brotherhood.

On the territory of the park there is also “Toý mekany”, where all the conditions for celebrations, including weddings, are provided. On the first day of its work, the birth of a new family was celebrated here, which was created by the newlyweds - representatives of the Uzbek diaspora living in our country.

In the evening, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov gave an official dinner in honor of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The reception was accompanied by performances by cultural figures and artists.

Further development of Turkmen-Kazakh inter-parliamentary relations was the main topic of a telephone conversation held on October 20 between Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Maulen Sagatkhanuly Ashimbayev.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction the importance of the multifaceted and fruitful dialogue established between the two countries, based on the principles of openness, mutual respect and understanding.

The Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of a friendly country invited the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan. This invitation was gratefully accepted.

On October 22, in the building of the Administration of the Halk Maslakhaty, chaired by the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, a meeting was held on the issues of further improving the country's public administration system, revising the administrative-territorial units of etraps, cities and villages of velayats.

As noted, when developing proposals in this direction, effective management, economic opportunities, access of the population to public services, industrialization, the creation of large settlements and the provision of favorable conditions for the further development of these territories were taken into account.

In this regard, within the framework of improving the administrative-territorial structure of the country while introducing effective methods of rational use and management of land and water resources, it was proposed to exclude from the list of administrative-territorial units 6 etraps, 5 cities with the status of etraps, one urban etrap, two villages, 36 gengeshliks and 36 villages.

In order to increase the level of urbanization, which is one of the important indicators of socio-economic development, with the assignment of 6 villages with the status of settlements, as well as the accession of 19 villages and 3 settlements to cities, large administrative-territorial units and 6 settlements with the status of a village are formed.

Guided by the requirements of today and taking into account the proposals and requests of the country's residents regarding the restoration of the historical names of rural places, proposals were prepared to change the names of 2 etraps, 3 cities, 4 towns, 3 gengeshliks, and 21 villages.

The speakers unanimously supported the initiatives and proposals put forward regarding the improvement of the administrative-territorial division of our country.

The meeting also discussed the most important issues on the economy of the regions.

The Ashgabat Dialogue of International Designers was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of the activities to include Ashgabat in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the nomination "Design" in a hybrid format.

The forum, organized by the hyakimlik of the capital together with the Secretariat of the National Commission for UNESCO, brought together leaders and specialists from relevant organizations. Through digital communication, they were joined by representatives of specialized structures and higher educational institutions from Canada, Turkey, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan.

Speaking about the importance of including Ashgabat in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Design category, the speakers emphasized that the large-scale project would become a platform for cooperation in the context of strengthening the role of landscape architecture in urban planning.

In general, the events of the past week have become yet another proof of the success of the policy of peace and creation implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, aimed at the innovative development of Turkmenistan, improving the welfare of the people, building up constructive international relations, increasing the authority of the native Fatherland on the world stage.