Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left on a working visit to the Kyrgyz Republic to participate in the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The head of Turkmenistan was seen off by officials at the international airport of the capital.

In the conversation between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to our country, Azizbek Madmarov, that took place in the air harbour, the invariably friendly nature of the interstate dialogue, which has now been given new dynamics, was emphasized. As noted, fruitful Turkmen-Kyrgyz relations, which meet the interests of the well-being of the two fraternal peoples, are progressively developing across their entire spectrum. At the same time, our countries interact constructively at regional and international platforms.

In this context, confidence was expressed that the current visit and participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the CIS Summit will contribute to strengthening the traditional interstate partnership, and will also become a concrete contribution to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the Commonwealth space.

In this regard, it should be noted that, being an associated member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, neutral Turkmenistan demonstrates its commitment to open and equal dialogue within the CIS, which meets the priorities of the foreign policy of the Fatherland, initiated by Hero-Arkadag and now successfully implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The key vector of this strategy is broad, fruitful cooperation – both in bilateral and multilateral formats, through authoritative international and regional organizations and structures.    

Taking an active position in matters of interaction in the Commonwealth space, our country puts forward current initiatives to build up effective trade and economic partnership and traditional cultural and humanitarian contacts. Building relations with the CIS member states and, in general, cooperation in the Commonwealth format on a solid foundation of friendship and good neighbourliness, historical ties, Turkmenistan regularly participates in various events under the auspices of the CIS. Along with this, our country has repeatedly become the venue for events, important meetings and forums of the Commonwealth, including meetings of the Councils of Heads of State and Heads of Government of the CIS.

Let us also recall that following the results of the CIS Summit held in Ashgabat in 2019, which Turkmenistan held as Chairman of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the CIS Member States was adopted. As is known, this important document was developed on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The agenda of the current Summit covers a wide range of issues of interaction in the Commonwealth space, relating to the determination of priority areas of partnership, taking into account modern realities and long-term prospects.

On the eve of the summit, on the 12th October, the delegation of Turkmenistan took part in a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS countries held in Bishkek.

Having flown to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, the presidential airliner landed at «Manas» International Airport, where the State Flags of the CIS countries, the flag of the Commonwealth were raised on flagpoles, and a guard of honour was lined up.

At the airport, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was met by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov and other officials. According to the established good tradition of hospitality, the distinguished guest was offered a national Kyrgyz treat - pishma and honey and was presented with flowers. From the airport, the head of Turkmenistan proceeded to the «Ala-Archa» state residence.

A meeting between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Sadyr Japarov took place here. Before it began, the heads of Turkmenistan and the Kyrgyz Republic were photographed against the backdrop of the State flags of the two countries.

Cordially welcoming the distinguished guest and emphasizing that he is sincerely glad to receive him in Bishkek, President Sadyr Japarov, taking advantage of the opportunity, congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on being awarded the high title of Hero of Turkmenistan.

The head of Kyrgyzstan also conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, noting that he remembers his meetings with Hero-Arkadag with great warmth.

The Kyrgyz leader expressed confidence that this visit of the head of Turkmenistan to Bishkek will serve to further strengthen interstate relations based on long-standing ties of friendship, brotherhood and the historical and cultural community of our peoples.

Thanking President Sadyr Japarov for the invitation to take part in the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS and the hospitality provided, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the Kyrgyz Republic, as the country chairing the Summit, its successful conduct and achievement of all the goals and objectives of this important meeting.

Noting the high organizational level of the Summit and confirming the readiness of our country for further joint work in the Commonwealth format, the head of Turkmenistan also conveyed warm words of greetings to the Kyrgyz leader from the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

During the meeting, having noted with satisfaction the progressive dynamics of interstate dialogue, which is fully facilitated by regular mutual visits and negotiations at the highest and governmental levels, the heads of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan exchanged views on the prospects for bilateral cooperation, developing along an ascending line across its entire spectrum. At the same time, the need was noted for the optimal use of all possible mechanisms to realize the existing potential in the trade and economic sphere, to increase the volume of mutual trade turnover, demonstrating positive growth indicators.

Among the priority areas of partnership, such industries as the oil and gas industry, energy, transport, agriculture, etc. were identified. In this context, the significant role of the activities of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Kyrgyz Commission was noted.

During the conversation, President Sadyr Japarov thanked President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for supporting bilateral cooperation in the field of electricity, emphasizing that the agreements reached in this area are being successfully implemented.

In terms of opportunities to enhance productive partnerships in the transport sector, the role of the Turkmenbashy International Seaport as an important transport, transit and logistics hub of continental importance was noted.

Along with this, the importance of strengthening humanitarian ties was emphasized - in the fields of science, education, culture, sports and tourism.

The effective nature of interaction between Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in a multilateral format, through international structures, where the parties support each other’s constructive initiatives, was also noted. In this regard, the agenda of the current CIS Summit became the subject of interesting discussion.

At the end of the meeting, Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Sadyr Japarov, expressing confidence that Turkmen-Kyrgyz relations will continue to develop dynamically, acquiring new concrete content, wished each other good health and success in responsible government activities, and well-being and prosperity to the fraternal peoples of both countries.

On the same day, the head of Turkmenistan took part in the CIS Summit.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the Congress Hall of the «Ala-Archa» state residence, which became the venue for the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Here, the distinguished guest was warmly greeted by President Sadyr Japarov. The heads of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan took photographs for memory against the backdrop of the official banner of the Summit.

The meeting, chaired by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, was also attended by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and CIS General Secretary Sergey Lebedev.

After the traditional ceremony of joint photography in front of the official banner of the CIS Summit, a summit meeting took place.

Warmly welcoming the distinguished guests to the Kyrgyz soil, President Sadyr Japarov thanked everyone for participating in the Summit, emphasizing the importance of the issues on the agenda of the current summit in the context of the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the Commonwealth space, the effective implementation of the existing solid potential in various fields, deepening integration economic and humanitarian ties, which meets the goals of common well-being.

Next, the floor was given to the heads of friendly states.

At the beginning of his speech, addressing the participants of the Summit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to President Sadyr Japarov for organizing the current meeting, cordiality, hospitality and excellent conditions for constructive work.

Noting that today’s meeting is a continuation of a systematic and multifaceted dialogue within the CIS on priority issues of the global and regional agendas, the head of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that the interaction of states in the Commonwealth format is an important factor in ensuring conditions for the successful promotion of cooperation on current topics.

As you know, our country, being an associated member of the CIS, participates in its activities in accordance with its neutral status recognized by the United Nations. Our proposals put forward within the Commonwealth fully meet the initiatives of Turkmenistan declared within the Community of Nations, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This primarily relates to issues of ensuring peace and security.

As the head of the Turkmen state further emphasized, recent international events clearly demonstrate that maintaining peace, strengthening security and stability will be the main priorities of world politics. In this context, today Turkmenistan, taking into account the realities and trends of global development, proposes to begin discussing the possibilities of developing a Global Security Strategy under the auspices of the UN. This initiative was announced during the 78th session of the General Assembly.

Specifying the three important directions of this Strategy, the first of them was President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who outlined the principles of preventive diplomacy as a tool for preventing and neutralizing conflicts and threats, and eradicating the causes that give rise to them.

The second key component of the Strategy is the use of the potential of positive neutrality as a political and legal category, which serves as the most important factor in the peaceful resolution of disputes and contradictions through the use of the entire arsenal of diplomatic means and methods. In this regard, the unique international legal status of Turkmenistan as a neutral state, its positive experience in peacekeeping mediation and its commitment to non-confrontational resolution of interstate issues were noted.

Thirdly, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued, it seems important to take into account in the Strategy the importance of restoring a culture of trusting dialogue as a guarantee of ensuring peace. In this regard, the role of the decisions of the UN General Assembly initiated by Turkmenistan to proclaim 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust and 2023 as the Year of Dialogue as a guarantee of peace was emphasized. Time has confirmed the relevance of these resolutions for the present moment.

– We consider the development of the Strategy as an important step towards strengthening the atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation, including within the Commonwealth, as well as for resolving pressing issues of a political, economic, environmental, environmental, and humanitarian nature, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in general, – noted the head of Turkmenistan.

In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov focused on activities to further strengthen multilateral partnership within the framework of the Group of Friends of Neutrality, created on the initiative of the Turkmen side within the UN. Turkmenistan proposed holding the next high-level meeting of the Group in Ashgabat in December this year, followed by the organization of an international conference in 2024, and hopes for active interaction between the CIS member states within the framework of the above-mentioned initiative.

Expressing confidence that the interests of our countries will coincide when discussing the possibility of establishing an Institute of Neutrality and Security, designed to become an effective platform for analytical research on neutrality and related issues, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed his readiness to provide all the necessary infrastructure and conditions for this in Ashgabat.

Relevant for the format of cooperation within the Commonwealth are Turkmenistan’s proposals to create a Conference/Dialogue on Security in Central Asia under the auspices of the UN. The goal of the Meeting is to develop approaches and solutions aimed at bringing together and synchronizing the efforts of the countries of Central Asia and other interested states, international organizations, financial and economic institutions in ensuring sustainable, conflict-free development of the region. The Turkmen side invites the Commonwealth countries to take part in the first meeting of the Conference in Ashgabat next year.

The head of Turkmenistan also spoke about the need to consolidate further efforts to counter such serious challenges of the modern world as terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, penetration of radical and extremist elements into the CIS space, on issues related to cyber threats and other challenges.

«By putting forward proposals to find ways to resolve current issues, we proceed from the understanding that our initiatives are aimed at maintaining strong and long-term peace and security within the Commonwealth, and also serve as a significant contribution to promoting diplomacy of peace and harmony throughout the planet», -the President emphasized Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Having identified the activation of interaction in the economy as a priority area of the partnership, the head of Turkmenistan noted that, as is known, in 2019 in Ashgabat at the CIS Summit, the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the Commonwealth member states, developed at the initiative of our country, was signed. This document formed the basis of the later adopted CIS Economic Development Strategy until 2030, which provides for close cooperation in the areas of trade, industrial cooperation, transport, energy, investment and other priority sectors.

Continuing the topic, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence in the relevance for the Commonwealth states of projects initiated by the Turkmen side to diversify energy, transport and communication components in the context of the development of large-scale infrastructure corridors North-South and East-West. In this regard, great importance is attached to increasing logistics capabilities with transport links in the Caspian-Black Sea and Asia-Pacific regions, as well as with the Gulf and Middle East countries.

Emphasizing that close humanitarian interaction between the peoples of our countries continues to be an important and unifying factor of partnership in the CIS format, the head of Turkmenistan noted the presence of accumulated solid experience in the field of science and education, tourism and sports. Cooperation in the field of cultural exchanges is also an important aspect.

In this context, noting that our country supports the initiative to declare the ancient city of Samarkand the cultural capital of the CIS in 2024, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that holding events within the framework of this honorary status will give a new impetus to the mutual enrichment of the cultures of the peoples of the CIS and will serve to strengthen traditional ties of friendship and good neighbourliness.

At the end of his speech, the head of Turkmenistan confirmed our country’s strong commitment to further interaction within the CIS, expressing confidence in the great prospects for interstate cooperation.

Expressing gratitude to the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for his effective chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2023, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished success to the Russian Federation, which will chair the CIS next year, and President Vladimir Putin, and also thanked CIS General Secretary Sergei Lebedev for the successful coordination of the joint work, a great contribution to the fruitful conduct of the current meeting.

As part of the exchange of views that took place during the Summit, the results of the Commonwealth’s activities for the current year were analyzed, priority tasks and plans for the coming period were specified, current aspects of regional and international issues were discussed, and a number of organizational and other relevant issues were considered.

CIS General Secretary S. Lebedev announced the decisions taken at the meeting to transfer the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2024 to the Russian Federation and to hold the next meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State on the 8th of October next year in Moscow.

As a result of the Summit, a number of documents were adopted.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proceeded to «Manas» International Airport, from where he departed for his homeland.

Having flown to Ashgabat, the presidential airliner landed at the capital's International Airport, where the head of Turkmenistan was met by officials.

Here, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to our country Azizbek Madmarov warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on his successful visit, noting the active and proactive position of Turkmenistan in developing a fruitful dialogue in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Confidence was expressed that the summit meetings held in Bishkek will give a new effective impetus to Turkmen-Kyrgyz cooperation, as well as long-term interstate partnership in the CIS format, which meets the interests of common well-being, prosperity and progress.