Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov who was on a working visit to the republic of Uzbekistan took part in the first Central Asia-European Union Summit.

Cooperation of Turkmenistan with the European Union develops on principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit that forms a basis for development of long-term relations. In the given context, it is necessary to note that a multiplane character is inherent in bilateral partnership. Interaction with the EU is carried out in political-diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural-humanitarian spheres.

At the same time, effective cooperation with the European Union grows stronger within realisation of programs and projects aimed at social and economic development of our country. Among priority vectors of partnership - climate change, diversification of transport-transit corridors, energy, science and education, regional security, rational use of water resources.

The countries of Central Asia located on the crossing of trade routes, connecting Asia with Europe, creating in recent years new possibilities for attraction of investments, increase foreign trade relations. It promotes prompt integration of the region into the system global economic relations and its transformation into one of the key players of global economy.

Intensification of the inter-regional dialogue, increase in number of joint projects and adherence of the parties to expansion of interaction open big possibilities to deepen cooperation. The format of relations «Central Asia-European Union», promoting development of the region and strengthening of contacts with the EU, displays efficiency.

The agenda of the present Summit aimed at development and consolidation of multilateral partnership of states of Central Asia with the European Union, includes issues of promotion of trade and economic and investment relations, advancement of joint projects in the field of "green" energy and "green" economy, transport, digitization and others.

… Early in the morning, the motorcade of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed towards to the Congress Centre - venue of the high-level meeting. There, Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed the head of the state warmly.

In the first Central Asia-European Union Summit held in Samarkand city under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokaev, President of the Kirghiz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Investment Bank Nadia Calviño, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso took part.

After the traditional ceremony of joint photographing visitors proceeded into the large hall of the Congress Centre where the high-level meeting of leaders of countries of Central Asia and heads of the main political and economic institutes of the European Union took place.

Opening the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again welcomed participants of the meeting and expressed his gratitude for support of the initiative of Uzbekistan to hold the first Central Asia-European Union Summit in ancient Samarkand.

In the speech of the leader of the brotherly country significance of the meeting, which has been recently taken place in Ashgabat with participation of heads of foreign policy departments of states of Central Asia and the European Union was marked as well as fruitful negotiations held the day before, which displayed presence of political will and determination to deepen practical cooperation in interests of two regions.

Then, the floor was given to participants of the Summit.

Having greeted the gathered, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for accorded hospitality, warmness and created conditions for work.

Having noted significance of the present meeting, the head of the state underlined that for the first time countries of Central Asia and the European Union hold negotiations in the similar top-level format that, in itself, it is an indicative event. In our opinion, it testifies to understanding of all participants necessity of deepening of relations, aspiration to rapprochement and development of strong mechanisms of partnership, the President of Turkmenistan said, having expressed confidence that forthcoming discussions will mark an important stage in strengthening relations, achievement of mutual understanding and concrete agreements.

Among the major problems of joint work, Turkmenistan especially outlines achievement and maintenance of regional peace, security and stability. In this regard, an emphasis was made on the fact that under present conditions political-diplomatic interaction between countries of Central Asia and the European Union is capable to make appreciable constructive impact on the general conditions in the region and neighbouring countries, to promote efforts of the global community in this direction, first of all in the person of the United Nations Organization.

We proceed from commonality of thoughts to see Central Asia as a peaceful, economically attractive region, territory of stability and predictability, which is not involved in geopolitical conflicts and contradictions, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued, having confirmed readiness of Turkmenistan to work for achievement of these goals according to its neutral status and international obligations.

In the given context, having drawn the attention of participants of the Summit to the Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted on March 21 «Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan» with co-authorship of 67 countries, the head of the state expressed his great gratitude for support of this document.

Among the major issues for peace and security in regional and global dimensions, settlement of circumstances in Afghanistan was mentioned.

Having highly appreciated the potential of cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union in such priority areas as economy and investments, energy, transport, trade, the head of the state stated that Turkmenistan is firmly determined for the serious energy dialogue with the EU at a new substantial level and is ready for realisation of practical steps.

As was underlined, our country stands for the start of practical joint projects in the sphere of "green" energy, increase of capacities of generation of electric power, and is ready to deliver it to Europe. At the consolidated position of the states, through the territories of which the power transmission line will pass, this project can be realised in the near future and on a mutually advantageous basis, the President of Turkmenistan expressed confidence.

Our country is also ready to work with European partners in use of wind and solar energy and is open for consideration of prospects of cooperation in the sphere of hydrogen energy, the head of the state noted.

Transport and the communications, a key component of which is creation of transport and communication lines East-West and West-East act as strategic areas. The major role in it is given to the Transcaspian route, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, having confirmed readiness of our country to provide the capacity of Turkmenbashi International seaport on the Caspian coast, road infrastructure in the territory of Turkmenistan in interests of the given project.

- In the sphere of communications we also proceed from necessity and possibility of construction of cables on the bottom of the Caspian sea, the head of the state continued, having stated that Turkmenistan considers construction of underwater infrastructure in the Caspian sea economically beneficial for coastal states. At the same time, it is an important condition to ensure power, economic and transport stability in Eurasia on the basis of taking into account interests, rights and benefits.

As a whole, I am convinced that effective investment participation of the European Union in a complex of infrastructural projects in the region will becomes a timely step, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out, having stated readiness to provide investors with as much as possible favourable condition for considerable expansion of trade with Europe. In the given context, companies were invited to participate in the Turkmen market, the European Union was proposed to consider possibility of creation of programs of support of exporters and importers.

Having confirmed adherence of Turkmenistan to development and expansion of cultural-humanitarian cooperation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with satisfaction stated productivity of educational projects and the programs realised by EU in the given region throughout many years.

Among them such large-scale programs, as TACIS-TEMPUS, ERASMUS-MUNDUS, DARYA were noted. In particular, in Turkmenistan within programs ERASMUS-MUNDUS and ERASMUS + more than 40 projects in master programs, digitization in the education sphere, promotion of sustainable development and academic mobility.

With a view of development of the given work taking into account objective inquiries and requirements of cooperation, the head of the state proposed to consider possibility of development of the joint project in the field of vocational training, having stated that he considers it very important from the point of view of preparation of highly skilled technical specialists employed at the enterprises with hi-tech equipment.

Having supported intensification of joint scientific and research projects in the areas of history, archaeology, ethnography, preservation of monuments of historical and cultural heritage, the President of Turkmenistan marked potential of tourist exchanges, creations of target joint programs of ecological and ethnographic tourism.

At the end of his speech, head of the state Serdar Berdimuhamedov signified a firm positive spirit of Turkmenistan for continuation and intensification of partnership in the format «Central Asia-European Union» and readiness to bring a powerful contribution to this, certainly, positive and significant process.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev thanked the President of Turkmenistan for substantial speech, sounded concrete proposals and a positive position concerning mutually beneficial cooperation.

During the Summit, participants underlined importance of development of cooperation on a systematic basis, its areas on specific goals, development of new mechanisms of interaction. A special emphasis was made on significance of intensification of inter-regional partnership in trade and economic spheres, power and transport-communication sectors, "green" power and climate change. At the same time, they expressed confidence in achievement of concrete agreements on expansion of investment cooperation, realisation of joint infrastructural projects, support of innovations and digital solutions.

Participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the Summit «Central Asia-European Union» - another clear acknowledgement of adherence of Turkmenistan to development of mutually beneficial partnership with all interested countries.

Thus, the present high-level meeting became an important platform for discussion of possibilities to strengthen relations between countries of Central Asia and the European Union in trade and economic, investment, transport and cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as in development of joint strategies in these areas.