Uzbek, Turkmen presidents discuss ways to expand bilateral partnership

TASHKENT. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and his Turkmen counterpart Serdar Berdimuhamedov discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation at their meeting on the sidelines of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan, Uzbek official media reported on Wednesday.

"The parties discussed current issues concerning steps to further broaden Uzbek-Turkmen friendly and good neighborly relations and their strategic partnership in the context of preparations for upcoming events at the top level," media outlets said.

Mirziyoyev and Berdimuhamedov confirmed that bilateral trade is growing at a rapid pace and the two countries are deepening their cooperation in industry, energy, transport, agricultural and water resources.

"They reiterated the importance of ensuring that the meetings of the intergovernmental commissions, the Business Council, the Forum of the Regions and a number of cultural events scheduled for this year are productive," they said.

Mirziyoyev and Berdimuhamedov also exchanged views on regional issues and discussed the schedule of top-level meetings.

On Tuesday, Mirziyoyev received Turkmenistan's award for his contribution to the development of bilateral cooperation.

The Uzbek president paid a working visit to Turkmenistan on August 4-5 to attend the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

He also attended an event laying the groundwork for the seventh consultative meeting of the heads of the Central Asian countries.