Today, the Summit of leaders of the founding member-states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea opens in Avaza National Tourist Zone. Prior to the forum, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has met with President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two leaders exchanged opinions on tackling ecological problems in the region, water-related issues, and discussed Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation, particularly in the trade-economic sphere, where there are good prospects for higher trade turnover, closer direct business contacts and joint projects. In the last few years the relations between the two countries’ border areas have also gained renewed impetus. The transport sector is one of the priority areas of interstate partnership. Combined efforts in this field serve as an instrumental factor for building extensive transit-transport and logistics infrastructure for the North-South and East-West Corridors. Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev also highlighted the importance of traditional cooperation in the humanitarian field. The House of Turkmen-Uzbek Friendship, opened officially in the city of Urgench with the participation of the two leaders during a state visit by the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Uzbekistan this April, will play a significant role in strengthening fruitful contacts.