Speaking at the meeting of the Sixth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States in Astana, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted successful economic development through close and mutually beneficial partnership among the priorities of the regional agenda.

In this context, the key importance of cooperation in the transport and communication sector, which is developing rapidly today, was stated. Noting the active work on the creation of new transport and transit corridors in Eurasia, the President of Turkmenistan stated that integrating our region into these processes in a timely and effective manner, using geographical, logistical and other advantages, should be a common task of the Central Asian states in the very near future.

Emphasising that the strengthening of transport connectivity between Asia and Europe implies the creation of modern logistics in the territories of our countries, the harmonization of legislation, the mutual provision of customs, tariff and other preferences, Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed to begin practical implementation of these tasks in the very near future.

Energy was named among the priority areas of the five-party cooperation. In particular, speaking about the growing role of neighbouring countries in the region in international energy cooperation, meeting objective demands for energy resources of our countries, the President of Turkmenistan noted that the strategic goal is to meet the growing energy needs of the Central Asian states, taking into account the availability and appearance in the future of new industrial and agricultural capacities, infrastructure facilities, as well as the launch of joint production projects.

«Last but not least, such a system should guarantee our countries from possible negative scenarios in the global energy market, minimize their consequences, and create the necessary margin of safety for national energy systems in case of unforeseen circumstances of a man–made and natural nature», the head of state said.

The expansion of trade, industrial cooperation, and partnership in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises were also identified among the prospects.