Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov presented the draft agenda for the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, scheduled to be held in October in Turkmenistan, during an informal meeting of Central Asian and Azerbaijani leaders in Cholpon-Ata, Turkmen state media reported on Friday.
At the beginning of his remarks, Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed appreciation to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov for the traditional hospitality, warm welcome and high-level organization of the meeting. He also congratulated the Kyrgyz side on the opening of new facilities on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, saying the modern infrastructure would provide a strong boost to the tourism potential of the region.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Azerbaijan’s full participation in the format, following a decision adopted at last year’s Consultative Meeting of Central Asian leaders in Tashkent. He said the new six-party cooperation mechanism between Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan would help further strengthen ties and create additional opportunities to effectively use their shared potential.
During his remarks, the Turkmen president said preparations were continuing for the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, which is scheduled for Octobe 8 in the Awaza National Tourist Zone, the draft agenda had already been sent to participating countries. He added that several international forums and cultural events are planned alongside the meeting in Awaza and expressed confidence that participating countries would continue cooperation in organizing such high-level events.
According to Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the agenda includes five main areas: discussions on regional and international peace, stability and security; strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation between Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan; expanding trade and economic ties, energy cooperation and sustainable transport and logistics corridors; joint measures on environmental protection, climate adaptation, the efficient use of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya water resources, and efforts to restore the Aral Sea; as well as the development of cultural, scientific and educational cooperation and expansion of student and youth exchanges.
