Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left for a working visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan to participate in the first Central Asia-European Union Summit.

At the capital's International Airport, the head of state was seen off by officials.

Neutral Turkmenistan, in accordance with the peaceful, constructive foreign policy strategy, the foundation of which was laid by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Hero-Arkadag and successfully implemented in the modern epoch by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, attaches particular importance to the development of cooperation with countries of the world, including the states of the European Union, based on the principles of mutual benefit and equality.

Currently, cooperation with the EU is carried out in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.  At the same time, a major role is given to partnership in such areas as transport diplomacy, investment, climate change, energy, science and education, and rational use of water resources.

The dialogue in the political and diplomatic sphere is successfully developing at the bilateral level and in the format of «Central Asia-European Union». It should be noted that within the framework of this interaction, meetings of the heads of foreign affairs agencies of the Central Asian countries and the European Union are regularly held.

... After some time, the presidential airliner landed at the International Airport of the city of Samarkand, decorated with the state flags of the countries participating in the Summit.

Here, the head of state was warmly welcomed by officials.

Along the carpet leading from the plane's steps, an Honour Guard was lined up.

During the first day of his stay in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the head of state Serdar Berdimuhamedov held meetings with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso, the President of the European Council António Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

During the working visit on the 4th of April, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov will take part in the first Central Asia-European Union Summit, as well as in the opening ceremony of the international climate forum.

In general, the current high-level meeting in Samarkand is intended to become an important practical step towards strengthening long-term, multi-vector and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two regions.